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C5 Squeaking engine, is it the harmonic balancer?

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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 02:31 PM
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Default C5 Squeaking engine, is it the harmonic balancer?

I have an 1999 Corvette and have a squeaking sound coming from the engine. It used to be only at start up and would go away but now it is always present. I tried replacing the idler pulley/tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt, but that didn't fix it. I have watched the harmonic balancer while engine is running and it doesn't look like it is vibrating, or maybe it vibrates very slightly. How can I tell if it is the harmonic balancer? The squeaking is coming from front of the engine and it changes with rpm, but never really goes away.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 03:01 PM
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How's the S-belt look?
Did you change it with the tensioner?
Good luck
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 03:13 PM
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Serpentine belt is fairly new, but I didn't change the belt when I put on the new pulley. The squeak is not the same as belt squalling sound. It's like the squeak speeds up, but it doesnt' get more intense like a slipping belt sound.

Last edited by rodvet; Jul 9, 2021 at 03:13 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 03:44 PM
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Have you checked the other 3 pulleys? 2 On the main belt drive and 2 on the A/C system
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 03:59 PM
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Water pump????
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 04:20 PM
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Take the belt off.

Start it.

Noise still there? It's the balancer.

Noise gone? Something else.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 06:10 PM
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Duh! Why didn't I think of that?

I'll try it tomorrow and post result.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 06:16 PM
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Belts, I should say. Don't forget the AC. It also has its own tensioner that can make noise. Just did that on my mom's 02 Escalade for the same reason.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 07:22 PM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Jul 9, 2021 | 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Stingroo
Take the belt off.

Start it.

Noise still there? It's the balancer.

Noise gone? Something else.
Not if the balancer is separating and the noise is a belt misalignment due to a walking pulley.
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