Belt squeaking will not go away
10-10-2011, 08:54 AM
#1
Belt squeaking will not go away
Replaced belt: $90 at service shop
Replaced both belts: $108 at GM dealership (they said the belt that was relaxed was the wrong size)
Replaced tensioner and idler pulley: $256 at custom engine shop
Still squeaking!!! I just want my car to stop squeaking! The custom engine shop thinks it might be the water pump pulley and said I would have to replace the pump itself and that it would cost $400+...
Replaced both belts: $108 at GM dealership (they said the belt that was relaxed was the wrong size)
Replaced tensioner and idler pulley: $256 at custom engine shop
Still squeaking!!! I just want my car to stop squeaking! The custom engine shop thinks it might be the water pump pulley and said I would have to replace the pump itself and that it would cost $400+...
10-10-2011, 10:24 AM
#2
Could be water pump, alternator, harmonic balancer, power steering pump, or another idler in the mix. Look at the balancer and if it wobbles, that may be your problem.
Does it make noise when car is cold, hot, all the time?
Isolate the noise. Take both belts off and start engine (only run for very short time, water pump and alternator not running). Is the noise gone? If so, probably not the harmonic balancer. I say probably because the balancer is not under any load with both belts removed.
Then, replace the small belt first (water pump, idler, & balancer). Start engine (run for a very short time).
Next, replace the larger belt (alternator, balancer, idlers, power steering pump). Start engine (run for a very short time).
I used the above to find my "chirping" belt.
This could help isolate the noise. May be helpful to use the search tool to find other solutions. Good luck.
Does it make noise when car is cold, hot, all the time?
Isolate the noise. Take both belts off and start engine (only run for very short time, water pump and alternator not running). Is the noise gone? If so, probably not the harmonic balancer. I say probably because the balancer is not under any load with both belts removed.
Then, replace the small belt first (water pump, idler, & balancer). Start engine (run for a very short time).
Next, replace the larger belt (alternator, balancer, idlers, power steering pump). Start engine (run for a very short time).
I used the above to find my "chirping" belt.
This could help isolate the noise. May be helpful to use the search tool to find other solutions. Good luck.
10-10-2011, 10:41 AM
#3
Could be water pump, alternator, harmonic balancer, power steering pump, or another idler in the mix. Look at the balancer and if it wobbles, that may be your problem.
Does it make noise when car is cold, hot, all the time?
Isolate the noise. Take both belts off and start engine (only run for very short time, water pump and alternator not running). Is the noise gone? If so, probably not the harmonic balancer. I say probably because the balancer is not under any load with both belts removed.
Then, replace the small belt first (water pump, idler, & balancer). Start engine (run for a very short time).
Next, replace the larger belt (alternator, balancer, idlers, power steering pump). Start engine (run for a very short time).
I used the above to find my "chirping" belt.
This could help isolate the noise. May be helpful to use the search tool to find other solutions. Good luck.
Does it make noise when car is cold, hot, all the time?
Isolate the noise. Take both belts off and start engine (only run for very short time, water pump and alternator not running). Is the noise gone? If so, probably not the harmonic balancer. I say probably because the balancer is not under any load with both belts removed.
Then, replace the small belt first (water pump, idler, & balancer). Start engine (run for a very short time).
Next, replace the larger belt (alternator, balancer, idlers, power steering pump). Start engine (run for a very short time).
I used the above to find my "chirping" belt.
This could help isolate the noise. May be helpful to use the search tool to find other solutions. Good luck.
10-10-2011, 11:08 AM
#4
If it's a harmonic balancer wobble, or a loose HB bolt, you don't want to drive because it could cause severe engine damage. Not trying to scare ya, just a warning. My HB was loose (tightened before trip) when I nursed it to a nearby shop at low RPMs.
10-10-2011, 11:19 AM
#5
More reason to question how the shop diagnosed the problem. It's your money, ask them how they diagnosed the water pump as the problem. Don't want the same problem after the repair. Just keep in mind, the longer you continue to driver the car with the noise, it could damage another high $ part.
If it's a harmonic balancer wobble, or a loose HB bolt, you don't want to drive because it could cause severe engine damage. Not trying to scare ya, just a warning. My HB was loose (tightened before trip) when I nursed it to a nearby shop at low RPMs.
If it's a harmonic balancer wobble, or a loose HB bolt, you don't want to drive because it could cause severe engine damage. Not trying to scare ya, just a warning. My HB was loose (tightened before trip) when I nursed it to a nearby shop at low RPMs.
10-10-2011, 11:38 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
Gar above has posted a great diagnosis technique.
Can you do this yourself?
Sometimes, if oil/ antifreeze get into the belt pully/ tensions (et al) grooves, even with a new belt, you may get a belt slip and chirp.
Cleaning these surfaces with contact cleaner and a wire brush can help.
Do not use a belt dressing!
Can you do this yourself?
Sometimes, if oil/ antifreeze get into the belt pully/ tensions (et al) grooves, even with a new belt, you may get a belt slip and chirp.
Cleaning these surfaces with contact cleaner and a wire brush can help.
Do not use a belt dressing!
10-10-2011, 11:41 AM
#7
Le Mans Master
04-03-2015, 11:40 PM
#8
I saw that so many of you had success with the Goodyear Gatorback belts that I got one (the main belt; stock # ends in 798) and put it on my 2001 5.7L. THE NOISE IS GONE; HOWEVER---- While replacing the belt, I noticed that as I would release and apply the belt tension on the main tensioner pulley (top of engine, passenger side), that the pulley would turn slightly sideways. (Tension off, the pulley would be straight; tension on, the pulley would go slightly sideways again.) Even though the new belt eliminated the squeak/squeal, I am convinced that the pulley was the main problem and I did not want a pulley out of line. I have just replaced the tensioner/pulley ($40 for the part). It took me less than 10 minutes to get the belt off, unscrew the two tensioner/pulley bolts and remove, and replace with the new tensioner. I've got a total of $60 in the belt and tensioner/pulley.
04-04-2015, 12:12 AM
#9
I saw that so many of you had success with the Goodyear Gatorback belts that I got one (the main belt; stock # ends in 798) and put it on my 2001 5.7L. THE NOISE IS GONE; HOWEVER---- While replacing the belt, I noticed that as I would release and apply the belt tension on the main tensioner pulley (top of engine, passenger side), that the pulley would turn slightly sideways. (Tension off, the pulley would be straight; tension on, the pulley would go slightly sideways again.) Even though the new belt eliminated the squeak/squeal, I am convinced that the pulley was the main problem and I did not want a pulley out of line. I have just replaced the tensioner/pulley ($40 for the part). It took me less than 10 minutes to get the belt off, unscrew the two tensioner/pulley bolts and remove, and replace with the new tensioner. I've got a total of $60 in the belt and tensioner/pulley.
04-04-2015, 08:05 AM
#10
Melting Slicks
04-04-2015, 09:47 AM
#12
Drifting
04-04-2015, 09:52 AM
#13
04-04-2015, 01:10 PM
#14
Safety Car
I had belt chirp at cold start up. Checked all pulleys and they were fine. Replaced the belt and the belt chirp returned after 1200 miles. My harmonic balancer always had a little wobble. Replaced the HB with an ATI HB and quiet ever since.
