Squeaky c5 on startup
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
belt squeak
I replaced belts and tensioner, ac belt twice within 2 weeks tried belt dressing and wd40 still squeaked. went to autozone bought new liquid wrench silicone spray. no squeak for 3 months so far with only one spray.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: California
I brought my car to the dealership today to follow up on a chronic belt chirping problem. The technician put some GM engine silicone sealant (comes in a tube) on the main belt. The chirping stopped immediately. The technician said serp belts tend to get glazed, which is sometimes the cause of chirping. He also said that it wasn't a permanent fix, but should be effective for an "extended period.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: California
AZ Gatorback (The Quiet Belt)
I brought my car to the dealership today to follow up on a chronic belt chirping problem. The technician put some GM engine silicone sealant (comes in a tube) on the main belt. The chirping stopped immediately. The technician said serp belts tend to get glazed, which is sometimes the cause of chirping. He also said that it wasn't a permanent fix, but should be effective for an "extended period.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
i"ve run the gauntlet on these myself.
While under warranty, took to dealer. Replaced water pump and new AC Delco belt. Lasted all of 30 minutes. Next they replaced all 4 idlers/tensioners and another new belt. That lasted 2 days. Back in again and they replaced the harmonic balancer and put on new belt.
That did the trick! At least until a month or so ago and now it's back on humid coolish day startup. Goes away within a minute or two. Has had a Gatorback belt on for 3 months, so am surprised the chirp is back.
Only thing left in my case is the alternator or power steering pump. My inclination is the alternator... have read some here have found the squeak there as well.
It's a devil to chase down. very hard to isolate exactly where it's coming from even when using the tried and true 'hear-stick' method.
While under warranty, took to dealer. Replaced water pump and new AC Delco belt. Lasted all of 30 minutes. Next they replaced all 4 idlers/tensioners and another new belt. That lasted 2 days. Back in again and they replaced the harmonic balancer and put on new belt.
That did the trick! At least until a month or so ago and now it's back on humid coolish day startup. Goes away within a minute or two. Has had a Gatorback belt on for 3 months, so am surprised the chirp is back.
Only thing left in my case is the alternator or power steering pump. My inclination is the alternator... have read some here have found the squeak there as well.
It's a devil to chase down. very hard to isolate exactly where it's coming from even when using the tried and true 'hear-stick' method.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
And there is the beginning of a misdiagnoses, a rape, and a bad taste left in your mouth. With the amount of threads on this forum about squeaky belts, I would NEVER take this problem to a dealer. If the transmission falls out the car, I might pause and think about it but Patches has a thread where he removed his entire drive train. I'd rather over pay him to fix it than to trust those dweebs at the stealership.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: California
I Hear You
And there is the beginning of a misdiagnoses, a rape, and a bad taste left in your mouth. With the amount of threads on this forum about squeaky belts, I would NEVER take this problem to a dealer. If the transmission falls out the car, I might pause and think about it but Patches has a thread where he removed his entire drive train. I'd rather over pay him to fix it than to trust those dweebs at the stealership.
Thanks for the reminder about the stealership....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Tried and trusted means of trying to isolate a sound.
Use a plain ole ordinary broom with wooden stick or a yard stick or any other suitable stick of wood. Place one end on the area you want to listen to, then hold the other end of the stick up to your ear. Use CAUTION not to let the stick get caught in any moving parts!!! Amazing what you will hear.. Try it all over the place... can even hear valve train, injectors clicking, bearings, or virtually any other noise made by rotating parts.
A poor man's stethoscope......
Use a plain ole ordinary broom with wooden stick or a yard stick or any other suitable stick of wood. Place one end on the area you want to listen to, then hold the other end of the stick up to your ear. Use CAUTION not to let the stick get caught in any moving parts!!! Amazing what you will hear.. Try it all over the place... can even hear valve train, injectors clicking, bearings, or virtually any other noise made by rotating parts.
A poor man's stethoscope......
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
Tried and trusted means of trying to isolate a sound.
Use a plain ole ordinary broom with wooden stick or a yard stick or any other suitable stick of wood. Place one end on the area you want to listen to, then hold the other end of the stick up to your ear. Use CAUTION not to let the stick get caught in any moving parts!!! Amazing what you will hear.. Try it all over the place... can even hear valve train, injectors clicking, bearings, or virtually any other noise made by rotating parts.
A poor man's stethoscope......
Use a plain ole ordinary broom with wooden stick or a yard stick or any other suitable stick of wood. Place one end on the area you want to listen to, then hold the other end of the stick up to your ear. Use CAUTION not to let the stick get caught in any moving parts!!! Amazing what you will hear.. Try it all over the place... can even hear valve train, injectors clicking, bearings, or virtually any other noise made by rotating parts.
A poor man's stethoscope......
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Mine squeaks like h*ll on start up if it has been raining or it is damp outside. It will stop once I get moving and wind out first gear though. I don't pay it any attention.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,024
Likes: 18
From: DFW Texas
Another bit of trivia.....If you have a tuning fork or know someone that does... stick a finger in your ear, then pop the tuning fork and place it on your elbow bone.. You will hear perfectly the note from the tuning fork in your ear being transferred via your bones!
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
If it were a pulley, then it should squeak all the time, so it tells me it's the belt. The belt isn't worn and the sound goes away very quickly. I just ignore it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,333
Likes: 6
From: Louisville Kentucky
Last edited by Junkman2008; May 6, 2008 at 01:05 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Dee Gee,
Many thanks for the post of E T's tip.
I had the same problem. Followed the tip to isolate which belt drive was the culpret. As it turned out it was the main drive. The belt checked out ok. Then I bought BOTH the tensioned and idler. 45 minutes later I'm on the road without a squeek or chirp.
Many Thanks.
Many thanks for the post of E T's tip.
I had the same problem. Followed the tip to isolate which belt drive was the culpret. As it turned out it was the main drive. The belt checked out ok. Then I bought BOTH the tensioned and idler. 45 minutes later I'm on the road without a squeek or chirp.
Many Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,303
Likes: 40
From: Edmonton Alberta
I'm having a belt problem now myself (serpentine) and I've replaced the tensioner and gone through 3 different manufacturers belts. A new belt will stop the problem for awhile but it aways comes back, usually after a long trip.
Once the squeak manifests itself again I have a constant squeak on cold start up and it continues after the engine is warmed up. Squeak does not go away and belt eventually gets "glazed" on it's backside. Belt sides and grooves are in near perfect condition (except for the glazing on the backside as mentioned). I'm going to try changing the Idler pulley next.
Once the squeak manifests itself again I have a constant squeak on cold start up and it continues after the engine is warmed up. Squeak does not go away and belt eventually gets "glazed" on it's backside. Belt sides and grooves are in near perfect condition (except for the glazing on the backside as mentioned). I'm going to try changing the Idler pulley next.
