I have noticed (more when it is cold) that I have a squeaky something going on in the front area of my motor. I just replaced the belt, so I am pretty certain that is not it. It seems to grow louding and faster when I push the gas....I am going nutz trying to find the solution.

Micah

 

Could be your harmonic balancer or tensioners on the belt.

 

Mine is doing the same thing, we narrowed it down to the A/C tesioner. Now just gotta get around to changing it.

 

1. Take off the lower belt A/C belt. If the noise goes away, you know it is on this belt system. If it does not, then you know it is on the main serpentine system.

2. Once you have identified which of the two belt systems is the offending one, take off that belt. Then hand spin each pulley. There should be no wobble and they should spin freely. If they wobble, bind or have a gritty feel, you have identified your culprit. It they are all fine, then the problem is the harmonic balancer....

 

Why didn't I think of that? I will get to it. thanks.

 

Bravo! Great advice by rws.1.

 

We did it the 'perfeshional' way with a small piece of garden hose. One side to the pulley, the other to your ear. Just don't get the hose wrapped up in the belt......

 

It's a pretty easy change-out for the main and a/c belts. You can get both at Autozone for under $40 and the install takes less than an hour even for a mechanically challenged person like myself. 15mm socket.....and keep the old belts in the trunk compartment for an emergency. Good luck getting rid of the squeek!

 

I know you were probably serious, but that is funny.

 

but very serious!!!

 

My idler pulley started making noise about a month ago, more distinct in the mornings when it was moist, progressively got worse, a squirt of oil (not WD40) keeps it quiet for about a week or 2... I am going to replace it this summer... $60 for the part...

 

If you find out it is the harmonic balancer - I'd suggest that you either get a competent dealer to replace it, or certainly some one who knows an awful lot about Corvettes. There are aftermarket parts available that might save you a bit.

To replace the balancer the steering rack has to be removed. That's not something for a beginner to try, or someone who doesn't know how to handle the power steering requirements, and/or the connection between the steering and the Active Handling (if you have that). If the steering rack isn't properl aligned when re-installed - you may get all sorts of codes thrown at you that need to be addressed.

 

I think I have the same problem and I'm taking it to Corvette of Houston in the morning.
Its just not cool sitting at a light and your car is making wierd noise.

 

I made this tech tip up a few years ago and have posted it here many many times.

You have two belt systems on your car. One is the drive belt system, the other is the air conditioner belt system.
The drive belt system consists of the serpentine belt,the power steering pump, alternator/gen, water pump, harmonic balancer, idler pulley,belt auto tensioner pulley.
The AC belt system consists of the compressor, harmonic balancer,idler pulley, belt auto tensioner pulley.
First thing you need to do is isolate which system is squeaking. this can be done by releasing tension on the drive belt tensioner and removing the serp belt. This is the outboard belt of the two belt systems..if the squeak goes away, then it is the belt or a component of the drive system.
If the squeak is still there, then it is a component of the ac belt system.
to verify this release the belt tension from the tensioner and remove the belt. if the squeak goes away, then it is a component of the ac belt system..
A common problem is the belt tensioner on either system.. but verifying which system is at fault is the proper procedure.
You could replace both belts, but you may still have the squeak. So if you want to find the culprit, isolate the system, then spray the belt of the offending system and see if the squeak goes away. Try to stay away from the idler and tensioner while spaying..
I find that belt dressing may be good to identify a belt problem, but it is a temporary fix at best..
The real problem has been the tensioner and the idler.. both of these components have a sealed bearing which has been know to dry up or redirect the grease away from the bearing, thus causing the squeak.
If you find that a belt change does not correct the problem, then a change of both the idler and tensioner pulley is in order. If you just change the idler or the tensioner alone, it will cause the other component to go bad in a month or so. This has been the case with many members..There was a change made to the dusts seals to help correct this problem in newer C5's.
Lots of tensioner and idler pulleys have been identified as a problem.. and it can effect either system. One is not more prevalent than the other. So find out which system is squeaking first, in the drive belt system, it could also be the bearing of the alternator, power steering pump, or water pump too, but these are less probable.
I hope this makes things alittle clearer
ET

PS: AS suggested by someone else "you can remove the AC Belt".......... You can not do this without first removing the drive belt... so follow my proceedure to isolate the culprit.

 

I have used this trick, taught to me by an old mechanic. Take a round piece of wood (1 inch dole rod, or a piece of a broom handle) now place one end against a part and the other end against the bone in front of your ear. You will very distinctly hear what is going on with that item. Place it against tensionsors, pulley, water pumps, alternators, etc. you will hear its sound, and you will not get messed up with the other extra sounds from under an engine compartment.

I have used this method for years, and it always works. I feel it is safer than the hose method. Wood is solid and will not get caught by the belt. Just my .02 worth.

 

just notice that my harmonic balancer has a wobble to it and that why have have a sqeaky noise . looks like I'll replaceing my harmonic balancer for the New Year.

 

Jim, We're going to be doing a head/cam install in Micah's car soon. So, if it is the harmonic balancer that's when we'll do it....infact i've got a great aftermarket one to sell you...never been used.

 

I would bet its the ac idler pulley. I think it is like $30 from the dealer and a very easy fix.

Jeff