Serpentine Belt Squeak Help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 44
From: Roswell GA
Serpentine Belt Squeak Help
-- What would make a Serp belt squeak at start up, but after 5 minutes level out the sound to pretty much silent? I had the balancer and belt done last year, and the belt is quite new ish. One guy looked at it when I had the car there for something else and said he thought the idler pully was wobbling a bit, but I'm not buying that. After 5 min, sound is gone.
Ideas ? 2003 50th, stock engine.
Ideas ? 2003 50th, stock engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 1,339
From: Havre de Grace Maryland
I feel your pain. My squeak drove me nuts. Then I had my go to Vette mechanic change the belts, 2 idler pulleys,and main belt tension'er and no more squeak. Do not know which one was the squeaker but it is now gone. 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 54
From: Colorado Springs
Several You-Tubers thought they had a serpentine belt squeak, but later found the AC belt and idler were the real culprit. Perhaps the mechanics stethoscope or the old broom handle technique (be careful!) will better help you locate the squeak. Also note that some belt idlers have sintered bronze bearings that only release the little oil they have left in them after the bearing warms up and the oil flows from the sintered voids in the bronze.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 44
From: Roswell GA
Several You-Tubers thought they had a serpentine belt squeak, but later found the AC belt and idler were the real culprit. Perhaps the mechanics stethoscope or the old broom handle technique (be careful!) will better help you locate the squeak. Also note that some belt idlers have sintered bronze bearings that only release the little oil they have left in them after the bearing warms up and the oil flows from the sintered voids in the bronze.
please describe the broom handle technique. I guess you put pressure on the pulley and see if it stops squeaking is that right?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,384
Likes: 24,790
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Moved to C5 Tech.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 897
Likes: 987
From: NW Burbs of Chi-Town
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Has there ever been coolant spilled on the belt or pulley/idler?
You can try to use a pump spray bottle with some isopropyl alcohol on both the inside and out side of the belt as its running. Keep in mind its flammable and you want to avoid getting the alcohol on your paint of the vehicle.
You can try to use a pump spray bottle with some isopropyl alcohol on both the inside and out side of the belt as its running. Keep in mind its flammable and you want to avoid getting the alcohol on your paint of the vehicle.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 116
Likes: 54
From: Colorado Springs
Broom Handle Technique
An old shade tree mechanics stethoscope. While the engine is running and the belt is squealing CAREFULLY (!) place the end of the wooden broom handle on the fixed (not spinning) part you suspect is making noise. Then CAREFULLY put your ear close to the broom handle. The wooden broom handle works as a sound conductor to bring the offending sound closer to your ear. Also very useful in helping to determine which lifter or rocker arm out of the 16 is making noise and can be done with valve covers in place (easier done on a small block Chevy).
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski