gwz51

I just had the harmonic balance replaced on my c6 due to bad wobble. All belts were replaced as well. I now have a belt squeak at startup. Should I use a belt dressing or will this go away with time?

tmsmedic

I too have the same squeak. However it goes away after everything gets warmed up (2-3 minutes). It also had the harmonic balancer replaced.

C6ToGo

In the past, simply covering a noisy serpentine belt in belt dressing would quiet that pesky belt. That’s when belts were made of neoprene. Today, you should never put belt dressing on an EPDM-made serpentine belt. Belt dressing, and other oils and solvents, may quieten the belt noise when first applied, but these oils will actually cause the belt’s rib surface to become more aggressive once they dry out, leading to even more belt noise issues.

Noise issues on belt drives have not gone away. In fact, it has been the number one issue on automotive belt drive systems for many years.

Until the late 1990s and early 2000s, neoprene, the original rubber compound developed into serpentine belts, was the primary material in all belts, both original equipment and aftermarket products. While neoprene was, and still is, a good material for misalignment chirp noise, its flex fatigue characteristics are marginal, especially in hot and cold conditions that roll around yearly. In early 2000, due to advancements in belt technology to achieve better performance under those extreme winter and summer temperature conditions, and to get more mileage out of the belt, EPDM became the material of choice for all major belt suppliers.

When belt dressing, oils, or solvents are placed on a belt, the belt’s rib surface will initially become lubricated, which may quiet the noisy belt temporarily. But, when the belt dries out and/or the solvent flashes off, the rib surface will become very tacky and aggressive, which will actually cause the noise to return even louder. Also, when you place any belt dressing, oil, or solvent on the belt, the belt is permanently damaged and must be replaced. In fact, if the EPDM belt’s rib surface is saturated with an oil for a length of time, the ribs will actually swell, which can cause belt noise and/or excessive rib wear.

Instead of using belt dressing, inspect your vehicle for pulley misalignment and/or tensioner issues, as these are the most common causes of belt noise. If you do decide to use belt dressing, then be prepared to eventually hear the belt noise again, and to have to purchase a new belt since the old one will be permanently contaminated.

Source: Dayco

tmsmedic

Since mine is only at startup until warmed up...and I do not see the signs of wobbling, out of alignment, etc., is it possible that once warmed up, the belt gets stretched to a proper length resulting in the squeaking to be eliminated?

Mad*Max

I have not had any belts squeaking on my cars, cold or hot, nor have I ever used any dressings on them, there must be some other issue...

Josephcat

I don't think so. I would take it back to whoever replaced the balancer.

windyC6

Logic seems to dictate that a belt could/would squeak more when it is loose (stretched) or as you say when it warms up.....

Mike's LS3

Don't use belt dressing, spray with water instead. It will quiet the belt momentarily, but you still need to eliminated the problem.

You said that you had all your belts (2) replaced and the HB.

1. Find out which belt is squeaking AC or Main belt.

2. Remove the main belt when cold at start it up and listen for squeak. If it is gone then you eliminated the AC belt. 30 seconds of idle is all you need. Caution: your water pump and alternator will not be running keep an eye on water temps.

3. With the engine off and main belt off check all pulleys and tensioner for play.

4. Check the edge of the belt for fraying. That will indicate a misaligned belt. Your shop who installed the belt should have a serpentine belt alignment tool.

I had a squeaky belt at cold start up that progressively worsen. I went thru the process of elimination and everything led to the HB which had a bit of a wobble. Installed an ATI HB no more squeak. Good luck!

tmsmedic

My squeak is first thing in the morning and isn't really that noticeable. I noticed it with the top down. After about 30 seconds its gone. I do have a Gates belt and may consider getting a Gatorback.

91RS

You probably have something else going on like some pulley bearings failing. The A/C belt tensioner is pretty common for this since it's so small. Take the A/C belt off and put the main belt back on and see if the noise goes away. You can also wiggle the pulley side to side with the belt off and see if there's any play in it and sometimes you can heard the noise spinning the pulley by hand if the bearings are really worn.

Mike's LS3

I used both Gates and Gatorback and in two weeks it squeaked. Misalignment will wear belts and cause squeak. Bad pulley's and tensioners will cause squeaks. Need to find the cause and repair.

PAULEB07

I had the same issue with my 02. (when I had it) I changed the A/C pulley and the Idler pulley squeak gone!

cclive

I agree with the idea of inspecting all the pulleys...don't assume that the squeaking is the belt...it could be an idler pulley or alternator bearing etc.

Sunnyvale Dave

Since you just had all this work done on your Corvette, I would take it back to the shop that did the work and ask them to check it under warranty.

gwz51

The issue I have is that the squeak did not start until after the harmonic balance was replaced and the next day I had the squeak.

Mike's LS3

Does the new HB wobble? If it is a GM unit it would not surprise me. Also, I would have the shop use a laser belt alignment tool to eliminate belt misalignment.

Malfeitor

Replace with a GM damper or an aftermarket like and ATI or Powerbond?

I recall when I replaced mine the setback distance/shoulder of the damper to the crank shoulder was a key measurement. In other words, if the distance from the shoulder of the damper to belt path is different from an OEM damper, it would offset the pulley path by the difference. From what I recall on my 05 vert, the damper wobble was slight and my attention was drawn to it by a subtle chirp on idle-1500 rpm or so. That said, if the damper is slightly FWD/AFT different from the original location, I can see there being a squeak. I would check/have checked the belt path alignment if you've eliminated the other belt path items. (idler, tensioner, PS, alt all reinstalled correctly)

Don-Vette

Didn't they replace the belt with a new one after changing the balancer? Check for proper tension and pulley alignment and replace belt of they didn't. I also would call the people who did the work.

jblack41510

Mine made noise cause of the balancer wobble. Had balancer and belt replaced at the dealership. It was covered with warranty so I'm sure they used factory parts. No noise after repairs

1967 Goat

Probably idler pulley. New belt should not squeak like that.