Belt-like squeak when clutch is out

I have a 98 Isuzu Rodeo (I know, wrong group, but I can't find a good
Isuzu one. Besides Isuzu made the Passports, so surely I'm close
enough).

Whenever the engine is running and the clutch is out, a repeating
squeak can be heard as if a belt is slightly loose or needs lubing.
Pressing the cluch causes it to go away even if just idling in neutral.
I sprayed the serpentine belt with some lube, but it didn't make a
difference.

Any ideas as to what I can do to fix it?

 

Clutch throwout bearing needs replaced.

You might as well do some clutch work.

 

You DID? Wouldn't that just make the belt slip and thereby reduce power
transmission to the various items it powers?

 

Yeah, I seriously questioned that myself, but the guy who recommended
trying it was a mechanic by trade, so I tried it. Needless to say,
since he had no idea what was causing the squeak in the first place, he
might want to consider another trade.

 

LOL! I'd seriously question any mechnic that would recommend spraying
lube on something that's supposed to grip. How you're supposed to undo
that... Hopefully it will burn off eventually. Just don't spray brake
cleaner on the belt. <g> Maybe soap & water?

 

Not only will it slip, but count on the belt wearing more quickly too
since petrol distillates will screw up the rubber.

At any rate, that mechanic sounds like a crock.

- Justin

 

Has anyone considered that the OP may be misunderstanding BELT DRESSING as
"lubricant"?

No professional mechanic I've ever encountered, no matter how stupid, would
use "lubricant" on a friction belt.

I *can* see less-than-knowledgeable laymen mixing up the two terms.

 

Throwout bearings usually talk when the clutch pedal is pressed in.
Sounds like a pilot bearing to me.
M.Paul

 

isnt "belt dressing" just a stopgap measure to hide a problem? ISTR it
contains petroleum distillates, which cant really be good for the belts.

 

I haven't--what's belt dressing?

 

Never mind. I grew another brain cell and googled for it... |-O

 

Happened to me on my 98 Accord. Any pressure on cutch pedal made it go away.

Guess what, it disappeared, not to return so far. So maybe just wait.

Actually this is the second self healing problem I have had with this car.