C6 Engine Chirping
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
C6 Engine Chirping
I have a 2007 convertible with the LS2 engine. Car has 27,000 miles. I recently heard a chirping sound from the engine compartment that I experimented with to the point that it would stop when the clutch was depressed or in neutral. I took it into local dealer and had the serpentine belt, AC belt, Pulley, and tensioner replaced per their diagnosis. Drove it home and no chirp. Upon taking it out a week later and subsequent runs, the exact chirping is back. Looking thru the forum threads, many have talked about Harmonic Balancer as being a culprit. Can anyone offer up any other thoughts for me to check out other than a very unnerving $900.00+ balancer replacement? Thanks
Go Canes!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Most likely it is your harmonic balancer. I changed mine to an under drive pulley at about 40K miles.
And yes, it is not a cheap repair!!
And yes, it is not a cheap repair!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Just look at the balancer while the car is idling. It's probably wobbling. It seem like dealers always try to replace everything but the real problem until you tell them what's wrong yourself. I went to my dealer, opened the hood and showed the service adviser the wobble and said replace it and that's what they did.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
I experimented with to the point that it would stop when the clutch was depressed or in neutral.
This would have absolutely no effect on chirping from a bad harmonic balancer. If what you said is true then start looking elsewhere.
This would have absolutely no effect on chirping from a bad harmonic balancer. If what you said is true then start looking elsewhere.
SUBVETTE
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,841
Likes: 93
From: San Diego CA
Just look at the balancer while the car is idling. It's probably wobbling. It seem like dealers always try to replace everything but the real problem until you tell them what's wrong yourself. I went to my dealer, opened the hood and showed the service adviser the wobble and said replace it and that's what they did.
Look at your balancer with the engine running. If it's wobbling you have your answer. If not, start looking elsewhere. Noises changing with clutch in or clutch out usually are throwout bearing related.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,701
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Keep in mind that the outside faces of the pulley are not precisely machined, and may show some wobble even if the inside is running true. The GM diagnostic procedure calls for using a dial indicator IN the groove. But you can see gross wobble just by looking in the groove when the engine is running.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
it probably the harmonic balancer
start the engine and watch the belts spin on the pulleys. the harmonic balance is the big one at the bottom. if you see it wabble that is your problem. you can also take the belts off and manually spin all the pulleys (except the balancer) wiggle them, and feel for roughness. then start the engine without the belts and watch the unloaded pulley - put a straight edge onto the face and feel for movement.
Last edited by truckplay; Jul 13, 2013 at 01:01 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 21
From: Garner NC
I had mine replaced and even after the replacement it still looks like its wobbling, but the chirping stopped. Sometimes if you get some debris on the belt it'll make noise too until you clear it off. Replacing it requires removing the steering rack or dropping the front subframe. Not terribly difficult but time-consuming.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,001
Likes: 2,701
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our C5 chirped from the first month until we sold it 5 yrs/66k miles later. Never replaced the belts, balancer, or anything else associated with them. So it's hard to predict exactly what a chirp will do, over time.