Hello everyone, this is my first topic but I've been a long time lurker. I've got a 2002 Mag Red C5. Recently there's been a distinct squeaking noise coming form the engine compartment, both from a cold start and while warmed up. I've read quite a few topics about this and I've done the following so far:

Removed main belt and hand rolled tensioner, idler, and alternator pulleys. The idler and alternator are completely solid, no play at all, but the tensioner can wobble. It feels like it rolls smooth, but deflects off axis a little when pushed (there's no wobble while the belt's on and the engine's running).

Squirted a little water on the ribbed side of the belt while it was running and the squeaking stopped for a couple seconds. From what I've read, this indicates that the belt is the culprit. I bought a new belt and the squeaking stopped for about a month. When it came back, the same water tricked caused it to stop.

Does this mean that something's leaking on the belt and causing the squeak? Should I be concerned about the tensioner? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Well, I just went out and had a closer look and found this:

It definitely looks like it could be causing some problems. I haven't gotten any codes in the DIC yet, so it must have happened recently. Anyone know what this hose is for and where I can buy a replacement?

 

It's part of your pcv system vacuum pulls blowby gases back into intake for emission. That's why you have a little oil there. Nothing to worry about go to the deal and look up the part # or sreach the web .

 

Thanks! I'll do some digging and see what I can find.

 

Check that harmonic balancer while you are under the hood for any wobble, its a common problem on these cars and an expensive repair.

 

You can buy a replacement rubber fitting at advance auto parts. Also replace the PCV check valve while you're at it. It's located inside that cracked fitting and it's only about $5.

Look to see if it's wobbling while the engine is running. It's the large pulley at the center of the motor toward the bottom of the bay...

 

Ive had sqeaking belts in the past. I ended up replacing main tensioner and AC idler pulley. all quiet now.

 

I have a squeak at full throttle,I need to look into.

 

The AC idler pulley was the culprit on mine. It actually had waddled out the bolt holes and was spinning at a weird angle, causing the belt to squeek.

You wouldn't know it until you took the pulley out. the bolts were hiding the waddled out holes.

 

Thanks everyone! I started it up to check the harmonic balancer and idler and both seem dead solid (no wobble at all) while running and the squeak is present. However, I noticed that my Check Engine light was on and the only code was P0446, which seems to be related to emissions:
http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic10455.php
Also, it had a really rough idle and would vary from 500 to 900 RPM. A little throttle and it would run fine though. Could that be because the PCV isn't seated correctly and there's an extra opening into the intake?

I've got a friend who'll drive me to an auto parts store tomorrow. I'll obviously be taking the busted parts into the store, but are these what I should be looking for?
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...___#fragment-1
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...RPFILTAMS_____

Thanks again for all the great replies!

 

Looks like you found the parts you need... Yup; my PCV line off the manifold busted just like that and my idle was a little rough too. Replacing the elbow should fix you up.

Also, when you say you checked the balancer... you did check number 9 below right?

 

Oh, it may have been #4. Four is the rounded smooth one and nine is the one that you have to twist the belt a bit to get it in and out? I'll recheck tomorrow after I get the PCV replaced. Thanks!

 

Same here, end up replace everything when I was done.

 

Good news! I went to the auto parts store and got a new PCV check valve and elbow. The elbow didn't quite fit as expected. It fit over the smaller end but not the larger end, which was the side that had its hose bust. I went back and got some 3/4" heater hose and it fit quite snuggly over the PCV valve and old fitting (after the bad part was cut away). As you can see, I used a hose clamp to be sure that end would stay on. One thing that irks me a little is the small visible gap between the small end of the PCV valve and rubber fitting. The angle is obviously not correct, so I consider this a temporary fix until I find a OEM replacement. Also, I washed the belt using dish soap, rinsed it thoroughly, and let it dry overnight and the squeaking has stopped, for now. Only time will tell if something else was helping it along.

As for the harmonic balancer, it wobbles only very slightly. I read in another thread a while ago that theirs was wobbling enough to cause a visible response in the tensioner, mine doesn't wobble like that. Is there still cause for concern?

 

I have an update! There's good news and bad news. First the bad, the squeaking came back. Now for the good, it's very different from what it was before. Now it'll only do it from a cold start. I've driven the car three times since this hose fix (twice to the grocery store and once to the bank) and every time it squeaked (only slightly audible now compared to blaring before) for the 2-3 mile trip to the location, then when I come back out and start her up, no squeaking at all! None of the auto parts stores in my area sell Gatorback belts so I ordered one off Amazon, along with new tensioner and idler pulleys. When the parts come in, I'll get them installed and (hopefully) have one last update for this issue.

 

Order the proper elbow too. If you need to get an AC Delco part contact Gene Culley. http://www.gmpartshouse.com/partslis...parts-list.php