Squeaky Pulleys
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Squeaky Pulleys
Hey guys,
When I start up my 85, I hear a sound that sounds like some of the pulleys on the engine could use some work. The engine is almost brand new with about 1000 miles on it. Is there anything I can do to try to reduce this squeaking I hear?
When I start up my 85, I hear a sound that sounds like some of the pulleys on the engine could use some work. The engine is almost brand new with about 1000 miles on it. Is there anything I can do to try to reduce this squeaking I hear?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Can you narrow it down a little bit because there are bearings in the alternator, smog pump and I think idler pulley. Any one of those can be the issue.
Carefully put a wooden dowel on the suspected parts and listen with the end of the dowel on your ear when running (except idler). You should be able to hear it.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Alex;
Can you narrow it down a little bit because there are bearings in the alternator, smog pump and I think idler pulley. Any one of those can be the issue.
Carefully put a wooden dowel on the suspected parts and listen with the end of the dowel on your ear when running (except idler). You should be able to hear it.
Can you narrow it down a little bit because there are bearings in the alternator, smog pump and I think idler pulley. Any one of those can be the issue.
Carefully put a wooden dowel on the suspected parts and listen with the end of the dowel on your ear when running (except idler). You should be able to hear it.
Would the course of action be different from the various parts that you listed above?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 147
From: Gainesville FL
Wow thanks for the quick reply, it is much appreciated. I don't have access to a dowel but I can probably ask my friend in the engineering school. Driving around campus in a squeaky vette isn't ideal.
Would the course of action be different from the various parts that you listed above?
Would the course of action be different from the various parts that you listed above?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,193
Likes: 1,317
From: LeClaire Iowa
Both the tensioner and idler pulleys are regular ball bearings that can be cleaned and greased. You must remove them and temporally remove the seals. I just replaced my original 1996 pulleys as they are cheap. Dan
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,427
Likes: 604
From: Minneapolis Mn
The idler pulley isn't hard to change, just did mine. Most of the ones I looked at (and purchased) are plastic instead of the original metal. Just did mine as I have a trip this weekend but saved the old one to refurbish. Looks like the bearing in the old pulley can be pressed out and is available so plan to replace it and put it on the shelf.
To do the replacement, use a 19/32" wrench, pull the mounting bolt and once loose slide it to the drivers side of the engine to get it out. Replace the pulley and reverse to reassemble. Note there is a tab on the mount that has to align to put it back together.
That got rid of my squeal. Hope that helps someone.
To do the replacement, use a 19/32" wrench, pull the mounting bolt and once loose slide it to the drivers side of the engine to get it out. Replace the pulley and reverse to reassemble. Note there is a tab on the mount that has to align to put it back together.
That got rid of my squeal. Hope that helps someone.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
My recommendation would be to start by determining if it's the belt or one of the pulleys. Is the squeak continual or is it a chirping noise? Does the noise change if you spray a little mist of water on the belt while it is running? Can you see any pulley misalignment? Does the belt "wander" on any of the pulleys as it rotates?
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
On a Corvette that old, I'd just replace all the pulleys AND the belt. It probably needs them. This, of course, depends on if they were renewed at the time the engine was rebuilt/replaced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 120
From: AZ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
So we're talking about a motor and belt that are 32 years old?
And the belt squeaks?
How about a new belt? And while the old one is off try to spin the accessories pulleys by hand.
All should turn freely
And the belt squeaks?
How about a new belt? And while the old one is off try to spin the accessories pulleys by hand.
All should turn freely
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,008
Likes: 1,487
From: Ashland, OH
Just put a new idler and serpentine belt on and unless you have a bad woman,alt,smog,ps pump she will quiet again like she was 30 yrs ago.
New belt and idler made my 31 year old engine quiet in the front.
New belt and idler made my 31 year old engine quiet in the front.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
My recommendation would be to start by determining if it's the belt or one of the pulleys. Is the squeak continual or is it a chirping noise? Does the noise change if you spray a little mist of water on the belt while it is running? Can you see any pulley misalignment? Does the belt "wander" on any of the pulleys as it rotates?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
Likes: 673
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Water just helps to troubleshoot but is not a good check IMHO.
Using a wire brush, with eng running, let it run on the grooved side until the noise stops. I've been doing this to my 86 for years as the Fall/Winter season seems to add moisture to the rubber and it gets noisy.
Just dont let go of the brush....
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
New engine does not necessarily mean new accessories. Are you saying all pulleys, belt, waterpump, alternator, compressor, PS pump, etc. are also new? Please clarify.
First thing I'd do is verify all accessories are in proper alignment; if all that stuff is new, there's a fair chance one or more are incorrect for your application.
First thing I'd do is verify all accessories are in proper alignment; if all that stuff is new, there's a fair chance one or more are incorrect for your application.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 761
Likes: 79
From: Buchanan GA
What you dont want to do is spray wd40 on it.
Water just helps to troubleshoot but is not a good check IMHO.
Using a wire brush, with eng running, let it run on the grooved side until the noise stops. I've been doing this to my 86 for years as the Fall/Winter season seems to add moisture to the rubber and it gets noisy.
Just dont let go of the brush....
Water just helps to troubleshoot but is not a good check IMHO.
Using a wire brush, with eng running, let it run on the grooved side until the noise stops. I've been doing this to my 86 for years as the Fall/Winter season seems to add moisture to the rubber and it gets noisy.
Just dont let go of the brush....
Dayco belts seem to be the worst for squeaking. I have had better luck with Goodyear.
