Noisy Belt
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Noisy Belt
I have an 86 that has a noisy belt at idle. It goes away as soon as the rpm's go up at all. It started doing this a while ago and I flipped the belt around and that seemed to cure the problem but now(5k miles later) it is back and worse.
I did the screwdriver up to my ear trick and the alternator and air pump are making more noise than any of the other belt driven components, but I don't know if the noise level is abnormal.
The surface of the belt seems a little glazed, but otherwise it appears to be fine.
Is this just a belt issue or do I have a bad component causing the problem?
I did the screwdriver up to my ear trick and the alternator and air pump are making more noise than any of the other belt driven components, but I don't know if the noise level is abnormal.
The surface of the belt seems a little glazed, but otherwise it appears to be fine.
Is this just a belt issue or do I have a bad component causing the problem?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 12
From: New York
Check your tensioner also......and I never had much luck with aftermarket belts on GM vehicles as they seem to make noise much sooner, so something to consider when buying a replacement.
It's too bad because there really isn't anything wrong with the belts, I just can't stand the noise, especially if it is damp out.
It's too bad because there really isn't anything wrong with the belts, I just can't stand the noise, especially if it is damp out.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 377
Likes: 10
From: Chicago IL
If the belt is old, replace it. I don't mind the aftermarket belts. The one I got at murrays discount autoparts cost me all of $18 and sounds and looks great after 3 years. My problem, which sounds similar to yours, was that somehow my air pump pulley was a little wobbly. carefully watch your pulleys and make sure nothing is wobbling. use a straight edge to line up pulley to pulley. I removed and reset my air pump pulley and all has been fine since. good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Gulfport FL
Personally, my '85 vette doesn't have any belt noise, but my 2000 tahoe is very noisy. Sometimes they used cheaper steel on the pulleys, and some very small metal flakes would fall off and rub between the belt and pulleys. No matter what belts I use or how many times i clean the pulleys off, the sqeak comes back after just a few hundred miles. Even spraying some belt dressing doesn't help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,320
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by skybolt31
I flipped the belt around and that seemed to cure the problem but now(5k miles later) it is back and worse.
Is this belt grooved on both sides ??
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Originally Posted by AGENT 86
Could you clarify, because i get the idea that you turned the belt inside out. Is this belt grooved on both sides ??
Is this belt grooved on both sides ??
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,320
Likes: 248
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by skybolt31
Good question, but it isn't inside out, just running the other way. I will take the belt off today and check for loose or misaligned pulleys.
