can't stop the squeaking
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
can't stop the squeaking
I have a 98 coupe and noticed the squeaking coming from the engine compartment. I changed the idler pulley and put on a new gatorback belt and the squeak is still there. It starts once the engine gets warm. Is there anybody out there that knows what to do next? Any help would be appreciated.....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Thee are two separate belt systems.
The top main belt and the lower A/C belt.
You need to isolate the sytems to sort your problem.
take the top belt off and spin each pulley by hand. it shoul dbe smooth and spin freely wit no wobble.
Now take off the lower belt and do the same.
Leaving the lower belt off, put your main belt back on and drive around... you won't have A/C but it will tell you if the squeal is on the lower belt sytem...
With only the top belt on... no squeal means it is the lower system... if the pulley spin freely and don't feel gritty then it's a good prbability it is the A/C clutch that is shot.
If you get a sqeal with only the top belt on, then you know it is one of the pulleys or harmonic balancer.....
The top main belt and the lower A/C belt.
You need to isolate the sytems to sort your problem.
take the top belt off and spin each pulley by hand. it shoul dbe smooth and spin freely wit no wobble.
Now take off the lower belt and do the same.
Leaving the lower belt off, put your main belt back on and drive around... you won't have A/C but it will tell you if the squeal is on the lower belt sytem...
With only the top belt on... no squeal means it is the lower system... if the pulley spin freely and don't feel gritty then it's a good prbability it is the A/C clutch that is shot.
If you get a sqeal with only the top belt on, then you know it is one of the pulleys or harmonic balancer.....
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Niles MI
So far, this is the only question on this forum I can help people. (Not that I want more problems to learn on.) Rws.1 gave you good instruction. I used a stethoscope (automotive) to find my squeel. You can isolate the belt system, then you have to choose between the idler pulley, or the tension pulley (AC system), or the many pulleys and accessories on the main system. I bought a $6 Steth and carefully placed the tip on the nut of the pulleys. You will hear the bad one. Mine was the AC tension pulley. BTW if you find it is the AC tension, change it from underneath. I did it from the top. PITA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
So far, this is the only question on this forum I can help people. (Not that I want more problems to learn on.) Rws.1 gave you good instruction. I used a stethoscope (automotive) to find my squeel. You can isolate the belt system, then you have to choose between the idler pulley, or the tension pulley (AC system), or the many pulleys and accessories on the main system. I bought a $6 Steth and carefully placed the tip on the nut of the pulleys. You will hear the bad one. Mine was the AC tension pulley. BTW if you find it is the AC tension, change it from underneath. I did it from the top. PITA.
I removed the main belt, fired it up, reved it slightly, still had a squeel. removed the AC belt, put on the main belt, squeel is gone. felt all the pulleys and found the ac tensioner was odd feeling. my money is on this pulley.
Another note. I thought about the ac belt while I was first encountering the belt noise. I hit the ac on and nothing changed... telling me it was probably one of the other idler pulleys.
I removed the ac belt and have been driving like this for 2 weeks. need to fix this. thanks for the tip on getting it from below.
what part do you need to replace? just a pulley? or the whole assemebly?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 9,369
Likes: 4
From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I just went through a real mission........did the tensioner, had the ps pulley gauged etc........wound up being my header system, pipe was rubbing slightly at the side of the transmission. Not as much margin of error back there in an A 4 which is what I have............If you get up in the air check the exhaust/header system . Same as you, only after the pipes got warm!
It's also helpful if you fill in your profile so we'd know the info ...A4 and 6spd. have some different clearances underneath the car in certain areas
It's also helpful if you fill in your profile so we'd know the info ...A4 and 6spd. have some different clearances underneath the car in certain areas
Last edited by mrm1149; May 8, 2007 at 08:42 PM.
