my 98 just turned over 90k. then last week the animals moved in under the hood. the dreaded chirping noise. i am pretty sure it is the belt tensioner. tried alittle belt dressing worked for a day. i seen somewhere else where people installed c6 belt tensioner. is it a part i can go to my local autozone to get?? and is there anything else i should know or do before tackling this noisy bird under the hood!!

 

The difference in a C5 and a C6 is the pulley has a higher flange on the C6 to keep the belt on at high rpms, the one that is listed at most parts house is the same number for either. If you want a C6 one you will probably need to get it from a dealer just compare the pulleys to make sure it's a C6 (if that is what you want)

 

Get the C6 tensioner. Best price will be from Gene Cully here on the forum. Simple installation.

Gene

 

http://www.customcorvetteaccessories...ionpulley.html

Peace
Chip

 

I would replace the belts also, with the Gatorbacks. They stopped my chirp.

 

i seen at autozone they have the pulley wheel for tensioner. also have the whole assembly which would be easier???

 

This is for the AC belt idler and tensioner pulleys. The main belt tensioner and pulley are straightforward jobs, using the same wrenches and bolt sizes.
The idler pulley, and the tensioner pulley are the same wheel. If you are certain it is one of them, replace both. You're down there anyway. Idler is a simple 5 minute job, tensioner takes a little longer, simply cause it is lower in the engine compartment.
Remove main belt from tensioner. Using a 15mm open end wrench, take the tension off the AC belt and remove it from idler pulley. 15mm bolt secures pulley. Remove idler pulley, then remove the tensioner pulley. Take off idler first, leave it off. This gives you more room for the tensioner pulley. You will have to seperate the two tranny cooling lines that are in front of the tensioner pulley bolt. Just spread them out of your way. Remove tensioner pulley, and replace with new one. Replace idler pulley with new one. Now is the time to change belts as well.
A little tip to help get the AC belt back on is to take a zip tie and place it in the middle of the belt. Zip it tight, and form two loops with the belt. One goes over the crank, the other over the AC. The zip tie holds the center portion together and makes it easier to slip back over the pulleys of the tensioner and idler. Then using your 15mm wrench, release the tension on the tensioner, and cut the zip tie. Make sre the belt is seated where it should be, and release the tensioner.
Start the car, to make sure everything is running right. Turn off car, replace the main belt, and button it up.
All done!