Vortech Belt Squeal???
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From: Cary NC
Vortech Belt Squeal???
I have about 350 miles on my new Vortech SC and about 50 miles ago started hearing a belt squeal that has progressed into being pretty dang loud. It seems that after the car has warmed up well and about 10 minutes of driving it will stop. I replaced my compressor pulley from a 34 tooth to a 32 tooth and the squeal seems to have gotten worse. Maybe because I have the hood open and my head under it. 
It is hard to say where the squeal is coming from exactly, but is seems to be the general dircection of the jaskshaft pulley's.
Ideas on how to narrow it down?
How to notice any signs that it could be the start of something bad?
Besides be a pain to listen to, I'm as much concerned that it could be the tale-tale sign of a bigger problem getting ready to happen, so I would like to determine the cause and correct if possible.
Advice is much welcomed.
Thanks
2k1vert
[Modified by 2k1vert, 5:53 PM 4/2/2004]
It is hard to say where the squeal is coming from exactly, but is seems to be the general dircection of the jaskshaft pulley's.
Ideas on how to narrow it down?
How to notice any signs that it could be the start of something bad?
Besides be a pain to listen to, I'm as much concerned that it could be the tale-tale sign of a bigger problem getting ready to happen, so I would like to determine the cause and correct if possible.
Advice is much welcomed.
Thanks
2k1vert
[Modified by 2k1vert, 5:53 PM 4/2/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
I have not had any belt squeal problems. That is a new one on me. Steve01 and I have had some intermittent belt chirping but that's about it.
It sounds to me like you might have a bearing issue in the jackshaft or one of the idlers that are directly below the jackshaft pulley. It is hard to figure out where noises are coming from in that area because the head unit, jackshaft, and 2 idlers are all right there.
It sounds to me like you might have a bearing issue in the jackshaft or one of the idlers that are directly below the jackshaft pulley. It is hard to figure out where noises are coming from in that area because the head unit, jackshaft, and 2 idlers are all right there.
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
Here is a little 4.5MB streaming video from that you can hear the squeak. At 800 RPM (idle) it is very distinct. When your listening to it imagine what it would sound like at 2k rpm as a continous blend of this high pitch screech.
At idle is sounds more like a chirping.
http://home.nc.rr.com/exithere/2k1vert/squeak.asx
Streamed by Windows Media encoder 9 because everybody keeps hacking IIS and shutting my Web/Ftp servers down.
Let me know what you think the noise is.
Thanks
[Modified by 2k1vert, 9:18 PM 4/2/2004]
At idle is sounds more like a chirping.
http://home.nc.rr.com/exithere/2k1vert/squeak.asx
Streamed by Windows Media encoder 9 because everybody keeps hacking IIS and shutting my Web/Ftp servers down.
Let me know what you think the noise is.
Thanks
[Modified by 2k1vert, 9:18 PM 4/2/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: "Land of Mojo" Toms River NJ
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
I had one of the first Carroll Vortec Supercharger kits installed in 99 and after a while the belts did sqeek. Just keep an eye on them and follow the maintance schedule.
I'm now saving up for a TT set up, and recently had by blower removed because it was such a pain in the butt dealing with belts, and electornic issues from Carrol. He's now out of business and long gone.
Now I'm a head and cam car, and will be switching to 3.90 gears, and a "BIGGER" cam in the next 30 days. Looking to put down 430 rwhp on this new set up, until I can get my funds up for what I really want (TT).
Good luck with your supercharger, and enjoy! Boost is great!
I'm now saving up for a TT set up, and recently had by blower removed because it was such a pain in the butt dealing with belts, and electornic issues from Carrol. He's now out of business and long gone.
Now I'm a head and cam car, and will be switching to 3.90 gears, and a "BIGGER" cam in the next 30 days. Looking to put down 430 rwhp on this new set up, until I can get my funds up for what I really want (TT).
Good luck with your supercharger, and enjoy! Boost is great!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
That sounds exactly like mine! Thanks for posting that.
I called Vortech this week and talked to Chris. He had no clue what I was talking about.
When I had mine apart 3 months ago to replace the alternator bracket spacers and belt I carefully cleaned all of the pulleys and idlers thinking that may fix the problem. No dice it still does it.
The only thing that I can think of to do at this point is to get a -4AN plug for the oil feed line, pull the aftercooler and head unit, put the stock air bridge back on, and then run the car to see where the noise is coming from. I have not been able to isolate the source of the noise with the head unit in place.
I called Vortech this week and talked to Chris. He had no clue what I was talking about.
When I had mine apart 3 months ago to replace the alternator bracket spacers and belt I carefully cleaned all of the pulleys and idlers thinking that may fix the problem. No dice it still does it.
The only thing that I can think of to do at this point is to get a -4AN plug for the oil feed line, pull the aftercooler and head unit, put the stock air bridge back on, and then run the car to see where the noise is coming from. I have not been able to isolate the source of the noise with the head unit in place.
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (VortechC5)
Please feel free to send Chris the audio/video feed link and have him listen. Perhaps we can kill two birds at once.
Mine is a new install and I'm afraid that perhaps the serp belt may be too tight and caused a bearing to wear out. Not sure if that is possible in about 325-350 miles, but it was not making the noise until the last 25-50 miles.
I swapped my 34 tooth cogged pulley for a 32 tooth yesterday, but have not driven the car. Only started it a few times and made the video. The noise started before the swap.
BTW - What is Chris's last name? I asked to speak to him last week and I reach a Chris in Technical Support that had only been there 2 weeks and he did not know who I was trying to reach.
How long have you have the problem and how does the sound change with higher RPM? Mine drasticly changed from the time I started talking about it yesterday to the time I actually made the video. It did not make any noise at idle, but would start around 1k rpm, now it does it at idle. Before it sounded like a chriping that lead into a full squeal at high rpm, now.. Well now it sounds like it does in the video.
Good luck to (us).
[Modified by 2k1vert, 10:10 AM 4/3/2004]
Mine is a new install and I'm afraid that perhaps the serp belt may be too tight and caused a bearing to wear out. Not sure if that is possible in about 325-350 miles, but it was not making the noise until the last 25-50 miles.
I swapped my 34 tooth cogged pulley for a 32 tooth yesterday, but have not driven the car. Only started it a few times and made the video. The noise started before the swap.
BTW - What is Chris's last name? I asked to speak to him last week and I reach a Chris in Technical Support that had only been there 2 weeks and he did not know who I was trying to reach.
How long have you have the problem and how does the sound change with higher RPM? Mine drasticly changed from the time I started talking about it yesterday to the time I actually made the video. It did not make any noise at idle, but would start around 1k rpm, now it does it at idle. Before it sounded like a chriping that lead into a full squeal at high rpm, now.. Well now it sounds like it does in the video.
Good luck to (us).
[Modified by 2k1vert, 10:10 AM 4/3/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
I will call Chris on Monday to see if he'd be willing to listen to that clip.
The interesting thing is that the cadence of your noise is so similar to mine. It is usually a chirp, chirp, chirp with an occasional extra chirp or one less chirp.
I wouldn't worry that something is about to fail. Mine has been doing it for 2000 miles.
The interesting thing is that the cadence of your noise is so similar to mine. It is usually a chirp, chirp, chirp with an occasional extra chirp or one less chirp.
I wouldn't worry that something is about to fail. Mine has been doing it for 2000 miles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (VortechC5)
Watch the cog belt slack.
I know when you make the compressor pulley smaller, often you are supposed to increase the belt cog size to compensate.
I know my combo is a 28 Tooth + 30 Tooth.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 12:15 PM 4/3/2004]
I know when you make the compressor pulley smaller, often you are supposed to increase the belt cog size to compensate.
I know my combo is a 28 Tooth + 30 Tooth.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 12:15 PM 4/3/2004]
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (MelloYellow)
The idler pulley next the the cog pulley has a 2" slot adjustment for making or taking up slack. My belt is as tight as I would want it to be. Are you sure a another pulley needs to be changed? Could it be I have a different design?
Thanks
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
Added some notes.
I may have gone 2 sizes smaller than stock.
Anyone want to list all the pulley sizes? I'm a bit rusty.
May be required only in certain circumstances.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 12:17 PM 4/3/2004]
I may have gone 2 sizes smaller than stock.
Anyone want to list all the pulley sizes? I'm a bit rusty.
May be required only in certain circumstances.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 12:17 PM 4/3/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,477
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (MelloYellow)
The 30-34 tooth blower pulleys are used with a 30 tooth jack shaft pulley.
The 28 tooth blower pulley is used with a 32 tooth jack shaft pulley. I just bought this combo from Vortech.
The chirp that we are having does not seem to be related to the cogged setup. I have played with the cogged belt tension and it did not have any effect on the chirp. If you get it too tight the you will get cog whine though.
The 28 tooth blower pulley is used with a 32 tooth jack shaft pulley. I just bought this combo from Vortech.
The chirp that we are having does not seem to be related to the cogged setup. I have played with the cogged belt tension and it did not have any effect on the chirp. If you get it too tight the you will get cog whine though.
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (VortechC5)
The 30-34 tooth blower pulleys are used with a 30 tooth jack shaft pulley.
The 28 tooth blower pulley is used with a 32 tooth jack shaft pulley. I just bought this combo from Vortech.
The 28 tooth blower pulley is used with a 32 tooth jack shaft pulley. I just bought this combo from Vortech.
Well I just drove about 100 miles with some serious shifting to help break in my clutch as I approch the 500 mile mark. Speeds just over 140mph and guess what. No more chirping. Now who knows what it will do after it all cools down. I can tell a difference in going to the 32 tooth pulley. I just need to get it back on the dyno and do a bit of WOT tuing as I have some pinging going on. Man is it strong. I love having boost.
I've got to adjust my exhaust as the left side is beating under the car just above the elbow at the axle is sounds like and again at the tip. The folks that put them on last when the gear went in really has not had to experience the pain I did getting them adjusted just right.
I've got a new set of Nitto-555 Dr's that have not seen any punishment until today. I swear I laid 30 feet of positive marks when I nailed third gear. H3ll Yeah!
It is going to be a fun summer.
[Modified by 2k1vert, 5:08 PM 4/3/2004]
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From: Rancho Cordova CA
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
Thanks for the post. Yes this is the same dam chirp I have as well, intermittently. I have tried a shorter belt, new AC belt, both Gatorbacks. I have replaced the tensioner, and the other two pulleys, one by the SC and one by the alt. I also run the 28 tooth and larger jack shaft. The noise seems to be tied to the movement of the tensioner. When the belt is slack it chirps. With the shorted belt it will not happen until the belt gets some slack due to age. About 700 - 1000 miles for me. I have replaced the belt four times now. Good news is it only takes an hour or two after some practice. I also called Vortech and they did not know anything. I was told I was an isolated case. VortechC5 and I are some of the first to install this kit. I wonder if this is going to get to be bigger as miles are put on this kit. I am hopeful Chris can come up with something. I live local to Vortech, maybe they want to hear it in person.
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
Well sure enough after everything cooled down the chirping came back.
I am pretty sure I know which pulley it is coming from and I will try to post a pic later to convey the location. I will try to describe the location now.
The jackshaft has from top right to left the following. Compressor pulley, idler pulley and then comes the pulley that drives the jackshaft belt from the serp belt. I belive the chirping is coming from that last pulley that joins both belts. Why do I believe this? I put my ear about 2 inches from each pulley ranging from the alternator all the way across.
2k1vert
I am pretty sure I know which pulley it is coming from and I will try to post a pic later to convey the location. I will try to describe the location now.
The jackshaft has from top right to left the following. Compressor pulley, idler pulley and then comes the pulley that drives the jackshaft belt from the serp belt. I belive the chirping is coming from that last pulley that joins both belts. Why do I believe this? I put my ear about 2 inches from each pulley ranging from the alternator all the way across.
2k1vert
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From: Loganville GA
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
That tensioner on the ribbed belt doesn't need to be tight because the belt is ribbed. It really is just an adjustable idler. If it is too tight, you get some squeeks from the serpentine belt. I loosened that up and made it "not so snug" during my install and all my belt noise went away.
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From: Cary NC
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (Steve'01)
Does anyone know if Chris has heard the video yet? I'm completely ashamed for people to even hear me start my car. It is very loud when it cold and I will go nuts until I get it corrected. Any report from Vortech (anybody)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
I am planning on calling Chris this week. I have not had time to do so yet. Maybe if we both or all 3 of us who have the problem call him it would help. I think that would be even better.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Black Forest CO
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (2k1vert)
Whe I call I ask for Chris. They ask which one and I tell them it is the tech guy for the C5 kit. I'll call them today for sure. You can reach them at:
805.247.0226 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM (PST)
805.247.0226 between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM (PST)
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From: Loganville GA
Re: Vortech Belt Squeal??? (VortechC5)
Have you loosened that ribbed belt tensioner yet? Mine was loud as hell til I did that. If that tensioner is too tight (it's an idler, not tensioner really), that causes the ja*kshaft pulley to be tight, which in turn causes the serpentine belt to squeal. Gets less as the BELT heats up and stretches. Trust me, ya don't wanna have to replace that serpentine belt...done it...twice.