yea another belt thread lol
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage Ak
Here's another fix that worked for me. I found that the big belt was glazed on the edges so with the car idleing i held some 60 grit sandpaper to it (lightly)and it almost instantley stopped and I haven't had the annoying squeeling at start up.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
The a/c tension pulley is famous for causing the hidden squeel. It IS NOT THE PULLEY. It is the pivot bearing in the center of the tensioner arm. I pulled mine totally out and inspected it. What I found was the pivot bearing had worn and was allowing the pulley to be at an angle to the damper.
There is a new design tensioner from GM. (I don't know if it is better)
Don't change out just the a/c pulley change the entire tensioner.
There is a new design tensioner from GM. (I don't know if it is better)
Don't change out just the a/c pulley change the entire tensioner.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
And don't be suprised in the difficulty of replacing it. 
The one bolt that holds it to the block can be reached from the front with a long extension over the rack assembly.
Removal is easy.
Installation is a
. The pulley must be held vertical so the lugs will engage the block while you install the bolt. The only problem is there isn't enough room for your hand with the steel lines running below the pulley. I had to make a wooden wedge to hold it in position for starting the bolt and alignment.
Total time..
Removal 15 minutes
Installation 2 hrs.
Best of luck.
The one bolt that holds it to the block can be reached from the front with a long extension over the rack assembly.
Removal is easy.
Installation is a
. The pulley must be held vertical so the lugs will engage the block while you install the bolt. The only problem is there isn't enough room for your hand with the steel lines running below the pulley. I had to make a wooden wedge to hold it in position for starting the bolt and alignment.Total time..
Removal 15 minutes
Installation 2 hrs.
Best of luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
well i ordered the ac tensioner from autozone and i just got off of the phone with jason at katech and ordered the upper tensioner so hopefully between the 2 i get that sound gone 
now who wants to put the lower ac tensioner on for me?
now who wants to put the lower ac tensioner on for me?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
This problem was killing me and I finally solved it. I started with the belt - first one from Napa. Squealed horrendously. I replaced all my idler pulleys. Then I replaced the new belt with a new gatorback and the noise went away. come to find out the overflow nipple on the radiator fill tank was cracked and leaking just enough to get it on the belt - which was slipping on the "bell" pulley for the waterpump. have you tried squirting water on the belt while it is squealing?
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
This problem was killing me and I finally solved it. I started with the belt - first one from Napa. Squealed horrendously. I replaced all my idler pulleys. Then I replaced the new belt with a new gatorback and the noise went away. come to find out the overflow nipple on the radiator fill tank was cracked and leaking just enough to get it on the belt - which was slipping on the "bell" pulley for the waterpump. have you tried squirting water on the belt while it is squealing?
yea tried that and the belts are new gatorbacks
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 0
From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I was going to post something about this too. My serpentine belt squeeks for about 5 or 10 minutes until the car warms up and then the noise goes away. With the hood up, it sounds like it is coming from the idler tension pulley. It is about $55 at Autozone. I tried putting belt dressing on this, and it helped a bit. This weekend will probably be devoted to changing the belt first. Do you just push on the tension pulley to get the belt off? If a new belt doesn't work, I'm going to get the Autozone tensioner for $55.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
well i took the alt belt off and the squeeling stopped so i know its not the a/c tensioner thank god! i ordered the top tensioner from katech and hopefully that will solve my problem and if not i am guessing its the roller in the middle which i am hoping it isnt 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Don't forget to check alternator bearings and water pump for early failures while you have the belt off.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
The a/c tension pulley is famous for causing the hidden squeel. It IS NOT THE PULLEY. It is the pivot bearing in the center of the tensioner arm. I pulled mine totally out and inspected it. What I found was the pivot bearing had worn and was allowing the pulley to be at an angle to the damper.
There is a new design tensioner from GM. (I don't know if it is better)
Don't change out just the a/c pulley change the entire tensioner.
There is a new design tensioner from GM. (I don't know if it is better)
Don't change out just the a/c pulley change the entire tensioner.
Just replaced mine and that was the exact issue
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 84
From: Darien IL
My neighbor had the same problem. We took my serpentine belt off and put it on his car. Fixed squealing.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
My neighbor had the same problem. We took my serpentine belt off and put it on his car. Fixed squealing.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
of a time putting a new OEM belt on mine getting it around all the pulleys with the tensioner fully retracted. Just barely got it on. 1/4 " more would have made a big difference. Size matters. 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
My neighbor had the same problem. We took my serpentine belt off and put it on his car. Fixed squealing.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
What I noticed is that the aftermarket belts are a little longer according to the markings on the belt. That may account for less tension and squealing when you rev it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 5
From: alexandria louisiana
I have the same problem even after changing belts tensioner and pulleys so I spray a little liquid wrench on them and squeal goes away for weeks. Service manager even told me they would't do anything I hadn't already done and they even have some they never fix.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,460
Likes: 16
From: hamilton alabama
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17