Noisy belt?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Noisy belt?
Has anyone heard of this problem before?
My car began making a whistling / squealing noise which seems to be an alternator bearing to me. I took the car in under warranty and they said it was the serpentine belt which they replaced. The noise was gone but for only 3 weeks or 500 miles. Took it back to the dealer they replaced the belt tensioner, no that didn’t work fix it either. Now they want to replace the harmonic balancer. That makes no sense to me. Anyway there are only 3 in the US and those dealers don’t want to give up the part. The parts are on back order and I have to wait until GM makes more and no one can say when that will be. Anyway I don’t want to drive my car until the noise is gone, can’t stand driving a nice car that sounds like a hoopdee.
My car began making a whistling / squealing noise which seems to be an alternator bearing to me. I took the car in under warranty and they said it was the serpentine belt which they replaced. The noise was gone but for only 3 weeks or 500 miles. Took it back to the dealer they replaced the belt tensioner, no that didn’t work fix it either. Now they want to replace the harmonic balancer. That makes no sense to me. Anyway there are only 3 in the US and those dealers don’t want to give up the part. The parts are on back order and I have to wait until GM makes more and no one can say when that will be. Anyway I don’t want to drive my car until the noise is gone, can’t stand driving a nice car that sounds like a hoopdee.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 445
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Park (Austin) Texas
I have heard of the balancer bolt coming loose and or the balancer itself going bad. Look down the belt at the balancer to detect any wooble. I know this does no good to you if dealer has no replacement, but might verify problem.
Hope you can get it resolved soon. As you say, it sucks to have a car you can't drive.
Good luck and keep us posted
Hope you can get it resolved soon. As you say, it sucks to have a car you can't drive.
Good luck and keep us posted
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
I had the exact problem with a chirping belt on a 05 with 20,000 miles. Replaced belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Replaced tensioner and belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Replaced power steering pump, water pump pulley, idler pulley, alternator and belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Finally replaced the harmonic balancer (crank pulley) and belt and fixed problem. 4 trips to dealer and 5 weeks in the shop but it was finally fixed. Rubber flexible coupling in harmonic balancer had failed.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I had the exact problem with a chirping belt on a 05 with 20,000 miles. Replaced belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Replaced tensioner and belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Replaced power steering pump, water pump pulley, idler pulley, alternator and belt, chirp returned in 150 miles. Finally replaced the harmonic balancer (crank pulley) and belt and fixed problem. 4 trips to dealer and 5 weeks in the shop but it was finally fixed. Rubber flexible coupling in harmonic balancer had failed.
Thanks,
That is what I wanted to hear. I did not want to wait for them to get the part and find out it was not the fix.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
If it's the same problem you should be able to see the crank pulley wobble with the engine idling. Check from the passenger side with a strong flashlight down to the pulley. On a true running pulley the ribs on the pulley should look stationary with the engine running. If they are not steady, that's most likely the problem.
