ateens4

Hey guys, so I had to remove my oil catch can for inspection and I ended up spilling some oil from the hoses onto the serpentine belt. I wiped it off but once I started the car, there were noises produced from that belt and pulley area. I searched online and found options but just wanted anyone's input from past experiences, please. Since I wiped it off, I'm not sure if I upset the pulleys or anything since I don't want to risk permanent damage. I just ordered an OEM belt but it will be awhile to get here plus me having time to get it done, driving with that noise shouldn't cause any damage, correct?

Thank you

Car Analogy

Its a belt. It goes round and round. It has a tensioner that accommodates tighter or looser belt. There isn't a lot that can go wrong with something so simple.

The belt can break. The belt could theoretically slip. Things could be misaligned causing excessive wear on belt and on pullys, and belt could be prone to slipping off (but thats obviously not in play in your situation). Pully bearimgs eventually wear out. The tensioner spring could break (again, not your current situation).

So other than contaminating the belt, that might eventually cause the rubber to break down and belt to break, I'm not seeing an issue here. No problem driving it until new belt arrives.

I'm actually quite surprised its even making a noise.

zeroptzero

also surprised the belt is making noise, it is probably just squeaking a bit if slipping. I would take it off and wash it down with spray nine or any other degreaser, even dish soap and reinstall it. Clean the pulley surfaces at the same time before installing to get rid of as much oil as you can.

ateens4

Thank you guys for the reassurance

EELPIE

If I was gong to clean a belt I would use Brake Clean on a clean rag and rub the belt down.

Brake Clean will evaporate completely and leave no residue.

ateens4

Alright I will clean it first, thank you, brake cleaner seems to be the best option plus some dish washing fluid. I did not want to use WD-40 or carburator cleaner. Brake cleaner seems really good because of its quick evaporation so MAF sensor cleaner would be good too.

Car Analogy

WD-40 is mostly Kerosene, so its somewhat of a lubricant. Not what you want here!

Brake cleaner will eat rubber, also not what you want (though it probably wouldn't cause too much damage).

The dish soap idea is good. Just rinse thoroughly. Other water based degreasers too.

rpg51

Dawn.

Car Analogy

Baby ducks and serp belts...

freq