Serpentine Belt Squealing

[ugredydrtbag]

I got a call from one of my friends saying that he was stuck and needed me to come pull him out earlier tonight, and so I went to go pull him out and to get to him I had to go through several spots of water probably about 6 inches deep, which was partially frozen on top. Going through the water I had plenty splash on my hood, and windshield. After I pulled him out I ventured a different way than I had come to try to find a way out, and one of the roads was completely flooded. I drove far enough down the road to get water up to the top of my front bumper before backing out and going back the way I came. I noticed once I got on the highway that my serpentine belt was squealing, and when I turned, The power steering pump (reman replaced about 6 months ago) was groaning, and the steering was heavy. I checked the fluid level and it looked fine, however the fluid was very runny and a murky brown. What do y'all think is causing this, and what should I do to fix it?

 

[KansasIDI]

Getting the belt wet would cause the squealing, it should stop after a while.

The caps on our power steering pumps are not very tight, probably just has dirty fluid

 

[IDIBOBS]

May have got water in the pump. If steering is tight and belt is making noise I’d change power steering fluid. These pump fill tubes are very low in the engine compartment and don’t seal very well. Sounds like even if it’s not THE problem the fluid needs to be replaced anyway. Also are your breather tubes for your axles in good shape and still attached up high? You don’t want water in your axles It takes a lot to get a truck ready for deep water crossing. Anything over the axles is considered deep water.

 

[ugredydrtbag]

Getting the belt wet would cause the squealing, it should stop after a while.

The caps on our power steering pumps are not very tight, probably just has dirty fluid

The belt being wet was almost certainly part of the problem, I started it today and took it for s short drive and it was a whole lot quieter, however, the steering was groaning when turning close to full lock on both sides, It would stop groaning as long as I held the wheel at the angle it was at. After I got back it was still squealing, but very quietly and it wasn't constant. almost like there was a bad spot on the belt. I pulled it off and it seemed fine, and everything spun well.

 

[Kizer]

It does sound like you should drain/flush and refill you PS oil. Maybe consider an inline filter as well.

Additionally, I've had zero luck running the belt that the part robots call for.
I've been using a shorter belt. It works great but it's definitely more challenging to install.

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