2023 Yamaha Gas: Squealing Fan Belt
 

Is there a way to tighten the belt- or some other fix that a marginally handy guy can do?

Thanks!

Are there fans on the 2023 Yamahas?

The only two belts I have on my 2019 are the starter belt (narrow) and the drive belt (wide). YouTube has videos on how to tighten the starter belt - here is one.

There should be no adjustment for the drive belt. When the engine is running, the pulleys on both clutches move in and out to keep tension on the belt. Dust could cause squealing so you might try cleaning the clutch plates with some brake cleaner on a rag.

If this is a 2023 cart then you should not be having this problem and the cart should still be under warranty. Take it to the shop and have the skilled mechanics correct the problem.

Take it back to the service department.

Usually dust in my experience.
Clean, or change if old fan belt, providing noise is from belt, and not what belt is driving.

Yamaha gas carts do not have fan belts. As mentioned previously, the two belts are the starter/generator belt, and the drive belt. Both are considered maintenance items (like tires and oil), and are expected to be replaced periodically. But, you should be able to get around 1,800 miles/120 hours out of the drive belt...perhaps twice that for the starter/generator belt...under normal use. Since your cart is still new, I would take it to the dealer for inspection. They may do you a solid and replace the belt, even though belts are generally not warranty items.

Thanks for the information. I assumed, "Fan Belt" was a generic term applicable to all belts used on vehicles.

We knew exactly what you meant :)

Then why was I corrected?

Perhaps I should have used more words....

I do not own a 2023 Yamaha. There have been concerns raised that the sound-proofing measures used on Yamahas are affecting airflow and causing heat problems. It is possible that Yamaha has made an effort to mitigate this problem by adding a fan to force airflow. I don't know since I don't own one. So, are there fans on the 2023 Yamahas?

My guess, based on my own experience, is that the primary or drive belt is making noise because the clutch sheaves are glazed. Most recommend to scuff the sheaves, where the belt rides up and down, with fine sandpaper perpendicular to the belt’s path.

Don’t use any kind of belt conditioner or belt stop squeak because it will only attract dust and dirt and probably make the condition worse.

I have to scuff my clutch sheaves every six months or so. I’m using a heavy duty drive belt that is more prone to squealing.

If I understand correctly, If I drive my cart 10 miles a day then I should expect to be replacing my drive belt every 6 months? and my starter belt every year?

I wonder if that is the common expectation with the cart.

Driving habits might contribute to drive belt gazing, especially if you have hill you have to stop on then then take off. That’s only time I get squeal out of mine. It you slam the clutch in every time you stop when take off it evidently glazes belt (overheating) and it might start squealing.

The only way you can tell if belt worn is by measuring the area at base of V. (google) Usually it gets glazes and weather cracked long before if worn out of limits IMO with belts I’ve replaced.

No. But depends on driver habits. I have never worn out belt, it was always weather cracked and glazed causing me to replace them at least 3 or more years old.

Only fan on my 2013 EFI Yamaha cart is the flywheel fan fins to cool the engine.

No. My drive belt, which is still in spec, has 30K miles on it and is 8 years old. The original belt was replaced because of unsmooth startups. My starter/generator belt is 10 years old with 37K miles on it. I inspect it regularly and it is fine.