I am a Chevy guy and have been all of my life but I have only ever owned trucks. I just bought my 2004 Base Coupe three months ago and I can't seem to catch a break with it. It ran fine for a month then the belt started squeaking.....I researched everything I could here on the forum and thought I had it down to just a glazed belt. I changed the belt and the squeak went away but a week and a half later the belt busted two ribs off of the block side of the pulleys. Luckily I was in the parking lot at work when this happened so I had a friend bring me a new belt and a new tensioner. I replaced both and everything looked great until last night. Entering the freeway I got on the throttle a little to get out in front of a big truck and the belt popped again but this time the frayed parts slinging around hit the wires leading to my throttle body sensor and now it is stuck in reduced engine power mode. I work in the oilfield and I work 14 days on and 7 off. I brought my car with me to work this time just to show a friend and now I am two hours away from my house with a car that cant go over 55. I am so mad about it that I almost would prefer setting the car on fire in a field but I'm more rational than that. I would like to trade it in for a C6 but I don't think I can because I would be way upside down on it since it is so new to me.


The car has less than 48 k on it and shouldn't be breaking this often. I have had it in the shop twice before the belt problem for other reasons.


Any ideas or advice is appreciated.

 

Damn man, sorry to hear about this. I can imagine your frustration after only a couple months of ownership... I don't have any advice on what could be wrong, but what was it in the shop for twice before? If the belt issues started after the shop visits, that may be a good starting place to research the problems.

Good luck to you man.

 

If it keeps throwing belts, check the pullies for proper alignment.

 

Sounds like something isn't lined up right,
It could be any one of the pullies that touch the belt.

I'd talk to the previous owner or dealership you bought the car from and see what can be done. Hopefully if it was a dealership they will take care of the problem, if it was a private seller maybe he or she can fill you in on the history of the car and any previous problems with the belt/pullies.

 

And especially check what 8VETTE7 mentions - the harmonic balancer.

 

 

I appreciate all the feedback so quick. I bought it from a dealership in Houston so I will have to take it back to them once I can get it home, although I don't think they will be of much help. The other problems it had before the belts were a slight constant whistle which ended up being vacuum hoses not connected right. The previous owner apparently had a turbo on it and took it off when selling. And the other time was that the A/C compressor went out...Kinda early for a car with that low of miles but it was fixed for free and about a week later is when the squeak started. I bought it from a toyota dealership that isnt exactly close to me so when the squeak started I took it to the Cevy dealership that is less than a mile from my apt. Pulleys are not covered on my extended warranty and they quoted me 1200 to fix all the pulleys. I didn't and still don't have that laying around currently to spend on getting it fixed.

Is the throttle body sensor a plug on both ends or is it hard wired in on the other end away from the throttle body? If I can replace or repair that then I can throw a new belt on it and drive easy on it to get it home and avoid towing costs.....

Thanks again guys!

 

Also I live in the greater Houston area.....Anyone know of a trustworthy shop in the area to work on corvettes? Dealership labor rates are quite high.

Not to make it sound like a total junker......but I am also having issues with the reverse gear kicking out and grinding. I have not yet checked the linkage but given the current attitude I have for the car I don't want to open up the hood.

 

 

Yeap, as stated up to, it sounds like the harmonic balancer.

 

say no to the dealers, be careful that balancer can cause more damage if it gets much worse. AAA plus is <100 dollars, and you have a one week waiting peorid before you can use the full 100 mile tow benefit.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...landgreen.html

Thereis alot this guy can do just ask UTAH.
EG plz foward my reward lol..

 

I've had good luck with Corvettes of Houston - I-45 near Richey Rd.

 

I will have to give them a try.

 

 

You can also call ENGLANDGREEN Performance. They do EXCELLENT work! Talk to Stephen or Jason!

http://www.englandgreen.com/

EnglandGreen Corp.
3135 Fall Street
Houston, Texas 77054

Phone : +1-281 464 2800
Fax : +1-281 464 2802
Email : sales@englandgreen.com

Hours : Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm CST
Closed on Saturday & Sunday

 

Shyler

The Throttle Body wires are part of the engine wiring harness. You will need to repair the wires OR get a new harness. Its a LOT easier to solder the wires and use heat shrink to insulate them!

As for the balancer,, if its wobbling or the outer ring is walking off the hub,, it must be replaced. If you LIMP it back to the dealer, that should be extended waranty covered.

Its a BIG job to replace the balancer. The steering rach needs to come out and the new balancer and bolt have a very specific procedure to get it back on properly.

Please keep us informed on what you do.

Bill

 

As bad as I want to tell you something else, I too think you have a bad balancer.

Could be catastrophic if it goes un-repaired

 

I'll guess balancer as well. There's no way I would drive it. It's already thrown the belt at least 3 times. I'd also consider the 55 mile trip as lucky.

24,000 hard turbo miles would concern me.

 

Although not typical, this fellow's problem is not unique. You listen to folks who claim that our C5's are just a Chevrolet and, therefore, good for DDs and that may be so. It is correct if you know how to fix it yourself and have the tools and garage space to do the job right or have "deep pockets." Prospective first time buyers need to be informed and prepared. The forum is a great help; having the funds to back up the advice is an absolute must.

 

Have you checked the AC pump for proper operation, if it produces too much resistance when the clutch kicks in then the friction will glaze or brake the belt. I would venture it is the pump or the balancer as others said.