chirping belts
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
From: Fairview Heights Il
chirping belts
I have a 2000 coupe that i have replaced the belts on twice already. the chirp goes away for approximately 3 weeks then comes back. Any idea what causes this or how to fix it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Could be one of the pulleys, or the HB as noted above. Could even be the belts, many swear by Continental Elite belts including myself.
Check the HB for wobbling, check all pulleys are aligned. If all seems good, pull belts and check each pulley.
Check the HB for wobbling, check all pulleys are aligned. If all seems good, pull belts and check each pulley.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 958
Likes: 177
From: Newark Delaware
Pull the alternator belt and isolate the issue. If the noise goes away, you have about 6 things it could be. If it doesn't go away, you're down to 3 (assuming the AC clutch isn't screaming) .Those items are:
Belt tensioner (common)
Idler pulley (common)
Alternator (not so common)
Water pump (not so common)
PS pump (rare)
Balancer (pray it's not this)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 377
From: SW Ohio
Check your balancer for wobble as suggested. I had my '04 Z home for 3 days when my belt started chirping and squeaking. I hit it with some belt dressing to try and quiet it down while driving to the tire shop, and when I went to spray the crank pulley I noticed the damn thing was wobbling something awful.
Now, the part is only about $80 from Jegs or Summit, but it's a project to replace. To be honest, it was not difficult at all, and probably takes about 5 hours of work using the instructions on this forum. Hopefully you don't have to worry with this and it's simply an idler pulley or something.
Now, the part is only about $80 from Jegs or Summit, but it's a project to replace. To be honest, it was not difficult at all, and probably takes about 5 hours of work using the instructions on this forum. Hopefully you don't have to worry with this and it's simply an idler pulley or something.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 675
Likes: 195
From: Green Oak Township, Michigan
19 year old isolator rubber degrades from heat and time. Just change it.. why play Russian roulette. Its a known defect. You dont want to know the scenerio if it comes apart. Of coarse this is just my opinion. Dont cheap out on the new one. Powerbond/Dayco PB1117N..SS..Race, SFI approved from summit or jegs $260 bucks. Good intermediate price. You dont need an ATI, unless you are building a race motor. Get ahold of a Corvette club in your area. They know who the good mechanics are in your area. Some of these guys do work on the side and might do it for less than the $600 bucks stated. They usually have all the necessary tools, and probably a lift. New crank seal is about $25 bucks. Good luck.. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
As stated above if it is your balancer go with a aftermarket. I rebuilt the motor in my 2001 in 2015. I replaced the balancer with a brand new AC OEM replacement part. It did not last two months and started wobbling and the belt chirping. Of course the new Delco unit came with a warranty but it did not cover the labor to replace it. I went with the Power Bond OEM replacement balancer and to make a long story short it is running as straight as a arrow 4 years and many miles later. Good luck finding your problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 6
From: Long Beach CA
I had the same issue with my 2000 and it was the harmonic balancer. Went ahead and replaced it with a Power Bond OEM balancer along with an ARP bolt and new belts...good as new
Last edited by Daytona69; Feb 28, 2019 at 08:08 PM.
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