Idler squeal keeps returining
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Antonio TX
Idler squeal keeps returining
I've searched the thread several times before posting.
The details: 2000 C5 Coupe, automatic; a/c, 50K miles. Always garaged in mild climate here in South Texas.
Symptom, pulley squeal in cold weather or when the engine is "very cold." Seems to go away after a warm-up in a few minutes. But I suspect the problem is going to get worse as time wears on.
It does not seem to be the a/c belt idler as I can definitely hear which pulley is the culptrit.
Replaced serpentine idler pulley (non-GM factory and it still squeals) and I have a gatorback belt on order. I had a fluid spill on the belt (power steering fluid).
The history is that I replaced *everything* (belts, pulleys; several times) @ 40K miles just about 2 years ago; only to find that the harmonic balancer was defective. Right now the balancer doesn't seem to be the problem but I'm tired of throwing $$$$ without getting a consensus or hearing from experience.
The one "tickler" to this deal is that it was almost impossible to loosen the belt as the tensioner seemed to only just move enough to barely slip the belt off. When the engine is running the tensioner lines up on the middle of the three marks. It does slowly "move back and forth" a little bit towards the mark closest to the center of the engine, but not enough to loosen the belt to cause slippage.
So, would a polluted belt cause squeal only while cold? What else?
thanks, Mike
The details: 2000 C5 Coupe, automatic; a/c, 50K miles. Always garaged in mild climate here in South Texas.
Symptom, pulley squeal in cold weather or when the engine is "very cold." Seems to go away after a warm-up in a few minutes. But I suspect the problem is going to get worse as time wears on.
It does not seem to be the a/c belt idler as I can definitely hear which pulley is the culptrit.
Replaced serpentine idler pulley (non-GM factory and it still squeals) and I have a gatorback belt on order. I had a fluid spill on the belt (power steering fluid).
The history is that I replaced *everything* (belts, pulleys; several times) @ 40K miles just about 2 years ago; only to find that the harmonic balancer was defective. Right now the balancer doesn't seem to be the problem but I'm tired of throwing $$$$ without getting a consensus or hearing from experience.
The one "tickler" to this deal is that it was almost impossible to loosen the belt as the tensioner seemed to only just move enough to barely slip the belt off. When the engine is running the tensioner lines up on the middle of the three marks. It does slowly "move back and forth" a little bit towards the mark closest to the center of the engine, but not enough to loosen the belt to cause slippage.
So, would a polluted belt cause squeal only while cold? What else?
thanks, Mike
