I have a 97 Corvette. Whenever my engine is cold and I start it the belt squeals until it is to operating temperature. I replaced the belt because it was original (52k miles) and it still makes noise. Could it be tensioner?

 

Examine it and see if it is worn, cracked, or in general bad shape. If it doesn't show any above signs, it may just be dry. Spray it with silicone spray or belt dressing and it should stop the squeal.

 

Will do. Thanks for the quick response.

 

Without a tensioner, most drive belts must be re-tensioned shortly after running them for a while. If your tensioner is bad, squealing could very well be the end result. Most belt manufacturers do NOT recommend that you spray with silicone spray or other dressing anymore. Back a long time ago, leather belts were used and a dressing was often applied. Modern belts do not need any "aids" and should not sqeal if tensioned correctly.

 

So if you had this problem you would replace the tensioner?

 

I have had this problem also. I replaced my belt first and then replaced both of the tensioners for the main belt. I still have the squeal on occasion. My next step is to check the belt on my AC unit. I think it als has a tensioner. I hope that this helps......

 

My noise was from a fairly new belt (less than 5000 miles). I bought the Goodyear Gatorback belt and the noise went away immediately.

A cheaper solution for a noisy belt, although short lived, is to use the old bar of soap trick.

 

A quick test to see if your tensioners are bad. When its squealing, spray a little water on it. If the squeal momentarily goes away, then its bad.


PS: I agree on the belt dressings. Many of them will make the problem WORSE!

 

I have a 99 that has had the belts replaced and tensioners. Still squeals
I talked to my old buddy at the auto supply and he told me to use silicone spray, on the harmonic balancer.
Seems that these cars sometimes get rust on the harmonic balancer.
Since I started using it I can correct the problem, but it does come back at least once a year.

I do plan on putting some gator backs on it. But for now a $1.50 can of silicone spray used twice a year is no big deal.

 

First look to see if there is any wobble on the harmonic balancer somewhat common problem on the c5. then find out which belt is squelling by soaping one belt at a time to find the noisy one. Then I would replace bad belt with a gator back and probably replace related tensioner as well...they are known to be aweak link as well.



Jerry

 

Since you changed the belt, look to the pully that covers the water pump. If the belt wear area is shiney that could be the cause of the squeal. Sand that shiney area with course sand paper. Helps if one can remove the pully.

 

Since you changed the belt, look to the pully that covers the water pump. If the belt wear area is shiney that could be the cause of the squeal. Sand that shiney area with course sand paper. Helps if one can remove the pully.

 

I did replace it with a gator back belt, thought it would fix it. i will have to try some of these tips. thanks for all the help.

 

I posted this to someone with a similar problem:

You have two belt systems on your car. One is the drive belt system, the other is the air conditioner belt system.
The drive belt system consists of the serpentine belt,the power steering pump, alternator/gen, water pump, harmonic balancer, idler pulley,belt auto tensioner pulley.
The AC belt system consists of the compressor, harmonic balancer,idler pulley, belt auto tensioner pulley.
First thing you need to do is isolate which system is squeaking. this can be done by releasing tension on the drive belt tensioner and removing the serp belt. This is the outboard belt of the two belt systems..if the squeak goes away, then it is the belt or a component of the drive system.
If the squeak is still there, then it is a component of the ac belt system.
to verify this release the belt tension from the tensioner and remove the belt. if the squeak goes away, then it is a component of the ac belt system..
A common problem is the belt tensioner on either system.. but verifying which system is at fault is the proper procedure.
At 25000 miles, you could replace both belts, but you may still have the squeak. So if you want to find the culprit, isolate the system, then spray the belt of the offending system and see if the squeak goes away. Try to stay away from the idler and tensioner while spaying..
I find that belt dressing may be good to identify a belt problem, but it is a temporary fix at best..
The real problem has been the tensioner and the idler.. both of these components have a sealed bearing which has been know to dry up or redirect the grease away from the bearing, thus causing the squeak.
If you find that a belt change does not correct the problem, then a change of both the idler and tensioner pulley is in order. If you just change the idler or the tensioner alone, it will cause the other component to go bad in a month or so. This has been the case with many members..There was a change made to the dusts seals to help correct this problem in newer C5's.
Lots of tensioner and idler pulleys have been identified as a problem.. and it can effect either system. One is not more prevalent than the other. So find out which system is squeaking first, in the drive belt system, it could also be the bearing of the alternator, power steering pump, or water pump too, but these are less probable.
I hope this makes things alittle clearer

 

tensioner could be stuck too. mine does the exact same thing. i already ordered my tensioner and belt.

 

Follow Evil Twin's advice and you will find the problem. His answers are generally vey accurate.

 

Ya, I have the belt for the AC but just havn't got around to replacing it, it looks like you have to do it from the ground and its been too cold.