A squeak under the hood can destroy the engine: why WD-40 will only make it worse.

Ignoring the squeak from under the hood of gasoline and diesel vehicles can lead to thousands of hryvnias in damages. According to automotive experts at Bumper, a high-frequency noise can be a sign of a broken fan belt.

This was reported by Express.

Why not WD-40

The squeak from under the hood of a car is a sound familiar to many drivers. It often signals problems with the fan belt - an important component that powers many systems, from the generator and cooling pump to the power steering and air conditioning. Usually, this squeak appears when the belt is worn or loses proper tension.

When such a sound is heard, there may be a temptation to grab a can of WD-40 since it is associated with solving many problems. But experts categorically warn against such a step. According to a Bumper representative, WD-40 can only make the situation worse, not fix it.

'Fan belts are designed to work dry. If you spray any lubricant on them, the belt may start slipping on the pulleys while the engine is running.' - the expert explained.

Belt slipping is a very dangerous situation. It can lead to:

• Engine overheating if the belt stops driving the cooling pump.
• Battery discharge if the belt does not turn the generator.
• Damage to critically important components.

A deeper problem

If the car is equipped with an automatic tensioner and the squeak does not go away, it means that the problem is deeper than just a loose belt.

It is likely that the belt has already served its term, or one of the components it drives, such as the water pump or generator, is starting to fail.

What to do:

• do not use WD-40;
• inspect the belt for cracks and wear;
• check the tension of the belt;
• consult a mechanic if you are unsure about the causes of the squeak.