help! its driving me crazy
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 1
help! its driving me crazy
So i am having a sqeeking sound come from my car. started randomly on a stormy day. i figured it was just dusty so i took the belt off and reinstalled. noise went away. now its coming and going randomly. gets louder and faster with revving motor up and gets louder when ac is turned on. what do you think this sound is? possibly a pulley, belt, or maybe even an exhaust leak? when ac is off its not a solid sqeeking, it comes and goes every second... any help would be appreciated!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Usually it is the AC idler pulley, and since you are going to do that you might as well do the TENSIONER too - you will be glad you did
This is what I did on mine, my idler pulley was smoked -
Thanks,Matt
This is what I did on mine, my idler pulley was smoked -
Thanks,Matt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 943
Likes: 3
From: casa conejo california: my casa sue's casa
Try this. I was shown this by a mechanic friend of mine. It wasn't on the 'vette, but on my siverado, which is a similar set up.
Take a bottled water and while the car is running pour water over the serpentine belt. If the noise goes away while the water is running over the belt then all you should need to replace is the belt. The edges get worn and can cause this type of squeak.
If the noise persist than I would follow Matt's advice.
Take a bottled water and while the car is running pour water over the serpentine belt. If the noise goes away while the water is running over the belt then all you should need to replace is the belt. The edges get worn and can cause this type of squeak.
If the noise persist than I would follow Matt's advice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
It probably is a driven component eg. idler pulleys, water pump, air cond. pump, altenator. If you do nothing will just be a matter of time before what ever is the culprit fails and then you can tell us. Good luck, Rob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,915
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From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
Best of Luck!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Did you look at the wear markings on the idler to see where it is at? There are three lines and one mark. Note what the position is.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 924
Likes: 161
From: Atwater CA
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Find the little chart or map for the belts and maybe take a picture or two before removing the belts so you know how to put them back on...
Put a socket on the accessory drive belt tensioner and and rotate it clockwise to reduce the tension on the belt and remove the belt. Rotate the Air conditioning drive belt tensioner clockwise to remove tension on the ac drive belt and remove it. The belts should be free of cracks and missing cogs etc. The tensioners and idler pulleys and accessories should turn freely without feeling wobbly or gritty or worn. If they have the grease and dirt stuck on the face of them that looks like "spin art" that means they need to be replaced. Throughly clean all the pulleys before replacing the belts. It is not that hard IMO.
Put a socket on the accessory drive belt tensioner and and rotate it clockwise to reduce the tension on the belt and remove the belt. Rotate the Air conditioning drive belt tensioner clockwise to remove tension on the ac drive belt and remove it. The belts should be free of cracks and missing cogs etc. The tensioners and idler pulleys and accessories should turn freely without feeling wobbly or gritty or worn. If they have the grease and dirt stuck on the face of them that looks like "spin art" that means they need to be replaced. Throughly clean all the pulleys before replacing the belts. It is not that hard IMO.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,915
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
What did that cost you if you don't mind me asking?BTW - Any questions you have on this car have most probably been asked, do the search and you'll find most of your answers....if not, post up and one of the relics on here will be able to assist.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
These are bigtime culprits too - especially since you were already down there -
Also you have to inspect the standard tensioner and idler pulley, it is a must especially with your miles
Thanks,Matt
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
You did the Idler pulley but not the tensioner - YES! It certainly does squeak when getting old!
You also did the main belt tensioner - "BUT" what about the main belts "IDLER" pulley? (Drivers side right under Power Steering pump)
All are pretty simple to get to with the stock set-up
Thanks,Matt 661-406-7516 (Call if you need to)
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,194
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
SoCal Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '12
I'm surprised no one mentioned it but you might want to take a look at your harmonic balancer. While the engine is running at idle, is there any "wobble" in the balancer. Some people also call it the crank balancer. These cars are famous for the balancer going bad and it ALWAYS starts with a belt squeek.
I hope its not the problem but good chance it is. Its a fairly expensive job to replace and alot of work. As i read through your post and you replaced that idler, I was going to say if the squeek comes back, most likely your harmonic balancer.
good luck and keep us posted.
I hope its not the problem but good chance it is. Its a fairly expensive job to replace and alot of work. As i read through your post and you replaced that idler, I was going to say if the squeek comes back, most likely your harmonic balancer.
good luck and keep us posted.
