In article
>,
Genny > wrote:

> I'm going to try belt dressing to see if that quiets the squeel... if
> it does should I have them tightened?

You should have the belt tension checked, but overtightening can destroy
the alternator, power steering pump, or air conditioner compressor
bearings. If the tension is good, then you'll need to find the actual
cause.

I once had a belt that squealed for the first 30 seconds after starting
or idling at a traffic light. The cause was a tiny leak in the cam cover
gasket--it produced a drop of oil every minute or so, and if the car
wasn't moving the oil would land on the crank pulley, making the belt
squeal until it had burned off. A leaky water pump can do the same thing
with coolant.

FYI, Miata owners have always had fewer problems with genuine Mazda
belts from a dealer. It's one of those items (like brake pads and water
pumps) where it doesn't pay to scrimp.

--
Lanny Chambers
St. Louis, MO
'94C