belt squeal or something like it
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
belt squeal or something like it
My c5 is trying really hard to make me hate it.
Sounds like a belt squeal. It always squeals for a while when wet. But suddenly it seems louder, and I'm asking myself if I drove through rain recently. It did rain but was stopped by the time I drove.
Its not atypical for my car to make some noise like that any time its been near water.
I loosened the tensioned and it spun freely. I was too afraid to take the rest of the belt off. How do I know if I need to be worried about this or if its just going to be annoying for a while then go away?
Sounds like a belt squeal. It always squeals for a while when wet. But suddenly it seems louder, and I'm asking myself if I drove through rain recently. It did rain but was stopped by the time I drove.
Its not atypical for my car to make some noise like that any time its been near water.
I loosened the tensioned and it spun freely. I was too afraid to take the rest of the belt off. How do I know if I need to be worried about this or if its just going to be annoying for a while then go away?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,473
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=3373
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
My c5 is trying really hard to make me hate it.
Sounds like a belt squeal. It always squeals for a while when wet. But suddenly it seems louder, and I'm asking myself if I drove through rain recently. It did rain but was stopped by the time I drove.
Its not atypical for my car to make some noise like that any time its been near water.
I loosened the tensioned and it spun freely. I was too afraid to take the rest of the belt off. How do I know if I need to be worried about this or if its just going to be annoying for a while then go away?
Sounds like a belt squeal. It always squeals for a while when wet. But suddenly it seems louder, and I'm asking myself if I drove through rain recently. It did rain but was stopped by the time I drove.
Its not atypical for my car to make some noise like that any time its been near water.
I loosened the tensioned and it spun freely. I was too afraid to take the rest of the belt off. How do I know if I need to be worried about this or if its just going to be annoying for a while then go away?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Thanks for the replies!
This sound comes every time I wash the car because I usually wash under the hood. It gets wet and makes noise for an hour then is gone. This time it seems louder and it isn't going away, at least not quickly.
No visible wobble in any pulleys. I've had the crank pulley problem already. It was replaced by a performance shop with an slp udp. I don't know for sure if the belt was changed at that time. Is there enough travel in the tensioner to put on a udp without a shorter belt or would it have to have been replaced? That was 3 or so years ago.
To look to the simplest thing first should my next move be to try a small amount of belt dressing?
This sound comes every time I wash the car because I usually wash under the hood. It gets wet and makes noise for an hour then is gone. This time it seems louder and it isn't going away, at least not quickly.
No visible wobble in any pulleys. I've had the crank pulley problem already. It was replaced by a performance shop with an slp udp. I don't know for sure if the belt was changed at that time. Is there enough travel in the tensioner to put on a udp without a shorter belt or would it have to have been replaced? That was 3 or so years ago.
To look to the simplest thing first should my next move be to try a small amount of belt dressing?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,473
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Thanks for the replies!
This sound comes every time I wash the car because I usually wash under the hood. It gets wet and makes noise for an hour then is gone. This time it seems louder and it isn't going away, at least not quickly.
No visible wobble in any pulleys. I've had the crank pulley problem already. It was replaced by a performance shop with an slp udp. I don't know for sure if the belt was changed at that time. Is there enough travel in the tensioner to put on a udp without a shorter belt or would it have to have been replaced? That was 3 or so years ago.
To look to the simplest thing first should my next move be to try a small amount of belt dressing?
This sound comes every time I wash the car because I usually wash under the hood. It gets wet and makes noise for an hour then is gone. This time it seems louder and it isn't going away, at least not quickly.
No visible wobble in any pulleys. I've had the crank pulley problem already. It was replaced by a performance shop with an slp udp. I don't know for sure if the belt was changed at that time. Is there enough travel in the tensioner to put on a udp without a shorter belt or would it have to have been replaced? That was 3 or so years ago.
To look to the simplest thing first should my next move be to try a small amount of belt dressing?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
I'm certainly not an expert on belt length when using an underdrive pulley but I have changed my own stock belts and I know that when replacing belts on the stock (7 1/2"?) crankshaft pulley the tensioner is at it's limit to slip the belt on the tensioner pulley and when its released and pulls back it's only an inch or so it seems...so imo the belts were probably changed at the time the crankshaft pulley was changed. If there was too much slack in the belt, it would come off or you could lift it off. One off the wall thing to look at, the stock tensioner is ribbed, the stock crankshaft is ribbed and the stock belt is ribbed. Are the replacement ud pulley and belt(s) ribbed? I don't believe you are going to be able to see the a/c belt.
The other thing you mention is when it's wet you get squeal, the a/c belt is down low and has a tensioner as well. One easy troubleshooting thing would be to remove the main belt and leave the a/c belt on and see if its that one squealing. You should definitely look for Lucky's link.
The other thing you mention is when it's wet you get squeal, the a/c belt is down low and has a tensioner as well. One easy troubleshooting thing would be to remove the main belt and leave the a/c belt on and see if its that one squealing. You should definitely look for Lucky's link.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Well this wonderful car that is a major source of joy in my life started up this morning sounding absolutely horrible. The noise lasted longer and was louder than I ever remember. But after 10 minutes or so at driving speed the noise got quieter then went away. I'm not convinced this is over yet. But maybe it was just a worse case of wetbelt than I usual get?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria Ca.
Maybe the belts are just worn-try Gatorback belts on there and see.
Even if it still squeals,you've eliminated the belts as the source,you'll have new belts on the engine,and a couple spares to carry in the storage.
Check with the UDP manufacturer and make sure the right belts are on there now,(since you aren't sure if the shop changed them or not) so you replace them with the correct length-if it was marginal to begin with,and it stretched a bit over time,the tensioner can't do it's job, and even new belts might squeal.
Even if it still squeals,you've eliminated the belts as the source,you'll have new belts on the engine,and a couple spares to carry in the storage.
Check with the UDP manufacturer and make sure the right belts are on there now,(since you aren't sure if the shop changed them or not) so you replace them with the correct length-if it was marginal to begin with,and it stretched a bit over time,the tensioner can't do it's job, and even new belts might squeal.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Looking at it from info in this thread I think the belt much have been changed. It was tight, I releaved tension on the belt tensioned until it hit the stop and it was just barely enough to slip the belt off the tensioned pulley. If it were the stock belt with the udp it would have been looser than that's right?
Does anyone know what belt it should be on there? I don't know if slp makes different underdrives. This one is a 20 or 25% I think. It never occurred to me before, but its probably a good idea for me to know. Are they usually marked?
Does anyone know what belt it should be on there? I don't know if slp makes different underdrives. This one is a 20 or 25% I think. It never occurred to me before, but its probably a good idea for me to know. Are they usually marked?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
Sounds like your tensioners may be bad. You have two, one for the AC belt and one for the Serp belt. I replaced both of mine and both belts for under $100 I think. Been a while back.
Once the bearings heat up they get a little quieter, but them being bad may be the squeaking you're hearing.
Once the bearings heat up they get a little quieter, but them being bad may be the squeaking you're hearing.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth TX
There are several how to's on this subject (in which I required their service).
In a nut shell, you need to identify the source. This could be either the belt or one of the [4] pulley's.
Belt: Spray a small amount of water on the belt while it is at idle. If the chirp/squal/etc goes away it's a belt issue. Simply replace the belt.
Pulley: Check the harmonic balancer (HB) and make sure it's not wobbling at idle. If wobble is detected, replace. If no wobble is detected isolate which system needs replacement. Remove the serpentine belt and start the car. If no noise, remove a/c belt and replace the serp belt. Start car, listen for noise.
By isolating the belt systems you can find which one is producing the noise. I was able to identify two failing pulley's by manually spinning them. Each of the four pulleys should produce no noise and should not spin freely (there should be resistance when you spin them).
Note:
-If you replace pulleys, you will need a new belt.
-If you replace the belt, clean the pulleys before installing the new belt.
-Do not use belt dressing.
-Another forum talks about spraying CD2 on the belt.
In the end, I replaced all four pulleys and slapped a new Gates belt on. Gene has great prices.
Good luck.
In a nut shell, you need to identify the source. This could be either the belt or one of the [4] pulley's.
Belt: Spray a small amount of water on the belt while it is at idle. If the chirp/squal/etc goes away it's a belt issue. Simply replace the belt.
Pulley: Check the harmonic balancer (HB) and make sure it's not wobbling at idle. If wobble is detected, replace. If no wobble is detected isolate which system needs replacement. Remove the serpentine belt and start the car. If no noise, remove a/c belt and replace the serp belt. Start car, listen for noise.
By isolating the belt systems you can find which one is producing the noise. I was able to identify two failing pulley's by manually spinning them. Each of the four pulleys should produce no noise and should not spin freely (there should be resistance when you spin them).
Note:
-If you replace pulleys, you will need a new belt.
-If you replace the belt, clean the pulleys before installing the new belt.
-Do not use belt dressing.
-Another forum talks about spraying CD2 on the belt.
In the end, I replaced all four pulleys and slapped a new Gates belt on. Gene has great prices.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
I'd have a parts store measure the belt you have then match up the length with a gator back. My 99 started the squeal chirping noise when it's cold started then goes away after it warms up. I can make the noise stop if I hold a piece of scotch brite pad on the top and also the bottom for awhile while it's running. It deglazes the belt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 4
From: Dorr MI
Lots of good info on this forum. Just went to go for a ride and the car was making a horrible squeaking noise at idle. Went away once the motor was under load. Came home and went through the procedures here and it looks like it might be the ac belt or tensioner. I put just a tad of belt dressing on that one and it went away for a minute. So tomorrow when the motors cooler I'll go through all the checks again and replace the tensioners and belts on both of them as long as I have it apart. This forum is a great source of help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 4
From: Dorr MI
Without reading alot of threads, there seems to be a majority opinion, not to use belt dressing, not sure of the reasons, maybe someone will chime in. In my case after using it, the squeak comes back, so I'm thinking it might be the tensioner or the idler, as long as I got it apart I'm gonna do all 3, belt, tensioner and idler. It's a PIA and don't want to have to go back in there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 347
From: SC
Mine started squealing shortly after an engine bay wash a short time ago. I found it to be the bottom tensioner. A little shot of silicone spray between the pulley and the dust shield quieted it down. For now at least..... will keep an ear on it 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 4
From: Dorr MI
Well, I got mine tore about, and it's the idler. Bearing is definitely shot. I'm replacing everything though, this is in the AC system so I don't want to have to go back in there for awhile. Took about 20 minutes to pull everything apart, I went in from the top. We'll see tomorrow when the parts show up how hard it is to put back together.
