According to service records, my recently new to me C5 has squeaky pulley syndrome for like the 3rd (or 4th?) time. Are there better idlers and tensioners out there anyone can recommend for a long term solution?

 

Make sure it's not the harmonic damper starting to come apart. Check to see if it's either "walked forward" and rubbing the steering rack, of went back, and is rubbing the timing cover....or just wobbling.

 

Replaced my pulleys with ones purchased from NAPA and haven't had a squeak problem since. X2 on checking the HB.

 

had the same prob katech installed and gone

 

Changed to Gatorback belts about 3 years ago,nothing but silence from the pulleys ever since.

 

Ihad the same thing, they had to replace all three.

 

mine will chirp until warm. did both belts already.

 

Your problem may not be the same as mine. I had a chirpy belt for 2 days then discovered my ballancer bolt had come loose and the ballancer was moving forward...I Caught it before somthing bad happened like it coming completly off. Good idea to ensure your belt is in all of the grooves on the ballancer.

Also...found this on website:
When your belt displays any of the following:
-squeals when accelerating.
-chirps constantly
-squeals constantly
-squeals when wet or moist outside
-squeals when cold
-or any combination of the above.

The belt must be replaced, but wait... If you replace the belt it may stop for a while but then the noise comes back. This is because the old belt was slipping and has polished the pulleys or "glazed" them. So before you replace that noisy belt scrub all of the pulleys well with a scotch brite pad, or a good wire brush to remove the glaze and rough up the surface. Clean them off with brake cleaner afterward. Belts work by friction so if the surface is polished too much the belt will slip. If you have already put on a new belt and it is making noise, -sorry you must buy a new one again. Slipping on the pulleys will glaze a new belt fast which ruins it. Some people say you can apply brake cleaner etc to a new belt to fix it but that may not work well. If it slips it will just mess up your newly cleaned pulleys and you will have to scrub them up all over again. So do the job right and rough up the pulleys AND replace the belt at the same time.

 

I may be hearing a similar squeal. Has a diagram or link those shows better detail than the owner's manual been posted that pinpoints these potential target areas?

 

Thanks Johnz and all.
I will take care of this problem.

 

thank you! Im gonna check on this next.

 

It's too bad they don't make one for the A/C as well..

 

Ok today I opened the hood with fresh belts in hand (from NAPA).
Disconnected the waterpump belt, started car, still squeaking, that narrows it down to the AC belt.
Belts didn't look bad, no cracking.
But the 2 smooth pulleys for the AC were pretty dirty, very suspect, needed a good cleaning. Used the recommended brake cleaner and a scrubbing pad. Cleaned up all the pulleys, installed fresh belts, took the car out for a spirited ride, all good, done deal.
Thanks all.

Now a bad headlight motor is getting the upgrade kit, plastic gear was stripped.

Productive day off! And the beer is cold.

 

I checked today, and my chirp is totally from the tensioner pulley.

Q- can this be bought (like NAPA) or do I need to visit a GM shop?

Im due for an oil change next week, and can have em slap this on (likely).

thnx again for the advice!!

SMS

 

It can be bought at any major auto store, Advanced, Auto zone, o'rilleys, etc....
about 50-55 dollars out the door here in alabama.
just replaced mine yesterday and most stores have it in stock as its a comon part not just for vettes but on alot of the trucks aswell. Good luck!

 

Napa will sell you just the pulley itself, without the arm, and it's pretty cheap. Rock Auto lists the pulley starting at $9.04 (Dayco) and slightly more for other brands. I love Rock Auto!

 

Better yet (and cheaper), buy just and American-Made bearing, and press out the old Korean-made (OE supplier), and press in with pride.

 

Gotta love this forum for great ideas.

 

I'm taking my 98 with 65k miles in for a new harmonic balancer this coming Wednesday. Has the dreaded wobble. Taking care of the belts and pulleys too.