1990 belt squeal and charging problem

[nhcouple]

I have 1990 Class A Motor Home with a Ford chassis, 460 FI engine. The fan belts squeal until the engine is warmed up and while this is happening there is no charging of the batteries. After warming up 15 minutes, noise goes away and charging begins up to 14 V. Squealing comes under a load up a hill, and charging drops off. Charging also drops at braking unless put into neutral. I suspect power steering pump. Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks!
Kevin

[auto]

Sounds like the belt is not tight and when the alt is trying to charge the belt is slipping. I would look for proper belt ROUTING,old dry or contaminated belt(oil or coolant soaked) but most of all tension. Steering pump not likely an issue. I see in the past you asked about bypassing the air pump. If this was done it may have caused one of the pulleys not to have enough belt rap.

[TXiceman]

If the belt is slipping that much, you have probably glazed the surface and will need to replace the belt. It should be running with a tensioner to keep the belt under stead tension. It should be check and while you are at it, replace the tensioner bearing.

Ken

[Robert Rice]

Be sure to check the belt THICKNESS! I had a belt that was too thin drive me crazy until I discovered the problem. If the belt is too thin, it rides on the bottom of the pully instead of the sides, allowing the kind of slippage you describe. Happy motoring.

[StevePav]

I have a 1990 Southwind with a Ford 460 and I had the same problem. As another poster mentioned, there is a tensioner on the front of the engine engine and by adjusting it you can remove the squeel as long as there is nothing wrong with the belt or pulleys.

Steve