chirp from serpentine belt

[So MA!]

Twice I changed the serpentine belt, both times they chirp but not the same way. The second one seem to chirp constantly but goes louder when I press on the gas. After about 15 min it stops. The first start of the day is always longer before it goes away. Most of the time after it will stay on for a few minites then goes away. What to do next?

[Mikz86TA]

Sounds like a bad tensioner or idler pulley

[89BLAZE]

x2 sounds like it just isnt keeping enought tension on the belt

[jspear]

x2 sounds like it just isnt keeping enought tension on the belt

x3. I had the exact same thing happen to me...Just go grab a new tensioner. It'll be better to grab the whole setup (tensioner and pulley) rather than just replace the pulley and bearings. 3 bolts to take off and put on...super easy install

[12sws27]

im with them. all the way.

[So MA!]

Thanks guys. Now the funny thing is that the chirp comes on during ignition and goes away 30 sec later. What the heck! Should I still change the tensioner or leave it?

[12sws27]

id change it.

[oldS10dude]

I'd change the idler pulley and the idle pulley .... less than 40 bucks at Auto Zone

[87wildside]

Thanks guys. Now the funny thing is that the chirp comes on during ignition and goes away 30 sec later.
Temperature change could have made that happen.

[So MA!]

Sorry about bringing this one back but I changed the idler pulley as well as the tensioner and it still chirps. It chirps for a few minutes first start then at idle goes away. Although when I press on the gas it comes back. After rolling around a bit it tends to go but at hard acceleration it will come back briefly (much more quiet chirp). I did notice some ruber deposits (i guess from the belt) on the idler pulley. Is this normal? and whats next? thanks

[89BLAZE]

what year truck are we talking here? Also are you running stock pulleys or underdrives?

[So MA!]

2000 noma zq8 w/ac automatic, all engine stuff is stock.

[Mikz86TA]

Hmm. You need to use a mechanics stethescope or use a rubber hose to pinpoint the exact location of the squeak. I have a slight rear alt bearing noise and a tensioner pulley noise. Not bad enough for me to deal with yet. Where are the rubber deposits?

BTW on the hose-a-scope trick is this. Use a rubber hose with one end in your ear and the other end move around near and on different parts of the motor to determine where the noise is coming from.

[So MA!]

Got time off today so I will try to pinpoint the noise but I was able to take some pics of the rubber depoists. Let me know if you guys get this also.

[Mikz86TA]

Did you change that little idler too or just the tensioner?

[XLR8]

I have this problem also. I have replaced the idler, tensioner, alternator, and water pump. After speaking with a GM tech, he told me that they see it alot. The belt is simply mis-aligned on the pulley's and creats a squeek from the side of the belt rubbing. The dealer uses the P/S pump pulley to adjust the alignment. They have a special tool that pulls the pulley in and out for adjustment. I have been trying to fix it myself but may have to take it to the dealer.....

Good luck

[12sws27]

Got time off today so I will try to pinpoint the noise but I was able to take some pics of the rubber depoists. Let me know if you guys get this also.
i see the problem now. that pulley is made in Canada! no wonder :p
sorry i had to take the opertunity to be a smart ass and yet offer no real help what so ever. but for what its worth, no i dont think it looks normal.

[So MA!]

Two belts and both Idler and tensioner where changed. I was looking at the belt dressing stuff but I was not to sure if it was worth it. I am trying to stay away from the dealer since they charge so much but the noise is just getting to the point where ughhhh. Thanks for all the help

[01blzxtreme]

so what i understood is if you buy the marche performance underdrive pulleys the 91" belt is the one that works for it....ohh and its the crank and alt pulley....im gettin them today so im just getting ideas.

[KaoticBlaze]

So whatever came of this? Mine is still squeaking as well after changing the idler and tensioner pulleys and tensioner and also have that same build up on the tensioner smooth pulley? WTF??

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

holy old thread resurrection, Batman!!!

[KaoticBlaze]

Yeah buddy. . . figured since its the same exact thing happening to Dimebag i'd ask and see??

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

check the tensioner assembly ... better yet, pull the belt, spin every one of the pulleys by hand (not the crank, silly!) and see if you have any squeaks. if not, THEN replace the tensioner ASSEMBLY. replacing just the pulley wont help ...

[XTREME80]

I am NOT telling anyone to do this old trick an can be very dangerous so do it at your own risk. But if you start the engine an take a long prybar an use it to scrap the groves in the pulleys it works wonders for belt chirps/squeaks.

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

i do one better .... i run a sanding disc on my angle grinder in each of the pulley grooves with the ENGINE and BELT both OFF!!!

it does do wonders ...

[XTREME80]

LOL I yeah i have done that before but its hard to do in allot of FWD cars that have 400lbs of crap stuffed into a 5lbs sack.

[Bootlegger's Deluxe]

LOL I yeah i have done that before but its hard to do in allot of FWD cars that have 400lbs of crap stuffed into a 5lbs sack.

Hence why i drive old trucks ... or K cars, on occasion, which have V belts