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Fixed pulley chirping.

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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 10:55 AM
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Default Fixed pulley chirping.

I recently developed a high-pitched chirping that was constant and most noisy at idle. The fix was simple. It turned out the be the A/C belt tensioner and was fixed by simply operating its arm through its full movement (using a wrench to turn the arm clockwise, relaxing the belt, and then slowly letting it tighten back up.)

Just for those who want to try a simple fix. :)
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 11:00 AM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Scissors)

How much is too much tension? It seems like a pretty easy fix though. Mine is doing it right now during low load situations.
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 11:03 AM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Scissors)

I recently developed a high-pitched chirping that was constant and most noisy at idle. The fix was simple. It turned out the be the A/C belt tensioner and was fixed by simply operating its arm through its full movement (using a wrench to turn the arm clockwise, relaxing the belt, and then slowly letting it tighten back up.)

Just for those who want to try a simple fix. :)
:thumbs: :thumbs: :cheers:
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 11:54 AM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (3C2)

How much is too much tension? It seems like a pretty easy fix though. Mine is doing it right now during low load situations.
The tensioning pulleys are spring-loaded and self-adjusting so you don't adjust them. You can rotate them using a wrench or socket wrench on the pulley bolt head.
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 12:00 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Patches)

sweet, I'm going downstairs to try it.
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 12:40 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Scissors)

Thank you for this post. I have recently changed the other belt and other pulleys with no luck of killing the chirp. I was going to try the AC belt next but I didn't think that I could do anything with the pulleys on the AC without major work.

Thanks
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 03:16 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Panouk)

Thank you for this post. I have recently changed the other belt and other pulleys with no luck of killing the chirp. I was going to try the AC belt next but I didn't think that I could do anything with the pulleys on the AC without major work.

Thanks
I was able to take the main belt and the A/C belt off at night, in the freezing cold, and with the light of one lamp. :lol:

It's pretty easy. Take note of how the main belt runs, rotate the main belt's tensioner clockwise with a wrench or socket on the pully head bolt, and then remove the belt. Do the same with the A/C belt. The A/C belt runs over the crank, under a top pulley, over the A/C compressor, and over the bottom pulley, which is the tensioner. Just rotate the bottom (middle) pulley's head with a wrench going clockwise (a socket won't fit.)

To help diagnose the source of chirping:

Remove main belt
Run engine (for only a few seconds!) to see if the chirping has stopped.
If it has, then it's one of your main accessories or pullies.
If it has not, remove the A/C belt
Run engine, again only for a few seconds to confirm if the chirp is gone
If it has, then the problem lies with an A/C pulley, tensioner, or compressor.
If it has not, then the problem is with your crank or is something not belt-related.


[Modified by Scissors, 3:20 PM 12/18/2003]
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 03:57 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Scissors)

simple and cheap fix. I love it! :cheers:
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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 04:49 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Mike Mercury)

Main Serpentine Belt Routing


A/C Compressor Belt Routing


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Old Dec 18, 2003 | 05:20 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (Patches)

I was doing it blindly because I couldn't see in there but I guess I put the socket on the right one because the pulley sprung forward a little when I torqued it. What a differnce!! I just got done washing it and driving it around. It used to sound like a hamster in a wheel when I was on the highway in 6th gear, now it's gone. The car feels so much more fun to drive now Who would've thought that one little noise would make such subliminal influence the way you feel about your car? :hurray:
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 12:18 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (3C2)

same problem here, only seems to occur early mornings when the air is damp
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Old Dec 19, 2003 | 09:52 PM
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Default Re: Fixed pulley chirping. (knowledgefreak)

same problem here, only seems to occur early mornings when the air is damp
That's exactly how mine started.
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