I am looking for a little advice. Last night I installed Rodney’s 2.8 V-6 idler pulley to take care of the horrible squeal. Any rate, installed, the startup squeal is gone. The belt seems tight; however I have a low pitched squeak now when running all the time. I did not have it before. You can tell it is coming from the belt area. Any advice on what it might be or how to track it down.
What it could be; - the belt is slipping over the idler pulley, as something may not be lined up correctly - you tightened everything WAY too tight, and it's causing strain on pulleys - you have a pulley that is wearing out - you have a water pump that is wearing out (I put that last because light squeaks from that area are typically a water pump going bad, and hope for your sake it's not your water pump. They're a lot of "fun" to replace)
I had a similar problem. It had to do with belt adjustment. If you don't get the adjustment correct, the belt can move on the idler pulley. With the engine running, shine a light down there and the belt should be showing about ~1/8"~ on the inside if it is riding correctly. I also sprayed a bit of Jigaloo on it when I was testing it and the squeal disappeared. That's how I could tell it was squirming.
Be very cautious about spraying anything but water on the belt. As someone who worked through the noisy belt era at GM durring the 80's I can tell you that I have spent hundreds of hours trying to clean off every sort of lubricant and dressing known. They all make it quiet at first, then make i ta lot noiser in the end.
Put water in a spray bottle, spray each pully and you will find the noise. It is either a tension or an alignment issue.
Could be belt adjustment, or a pulley out of alignment. I'm using Rodney's idler pulley with no issues. I'd check to make sure all the pulleys are in line and square to each other.
If it only makes a difference on the new idler pulley, that's where the noise is coming from. My first guess would be the pulley isn't exactly square or in line with the other pulleys.
I know this is an old thread, but I found this in the search as I have the same problem.
The idler solves the main problem, but the idler itself is squeaking. I've actually replaced it (maybe twice) and the squeak comes back after a time. Gets a little better the more I drive it, but almost unbearable if the car has been sitting a while.
Maybe I'm over tightening my belt, but is there a better solution maybe that self tensions the belt?
I agree. I do love Rodney's products. But I chose Dodgerunner's tensioner because I like the self adjusting tension so never too tight or loose, and it was GM's solution to the belt issues of the 80's. Belt hasn't sqealed for more than a second since. And only then faintly, at startup and after some really bad weather.
I know this is an old thread, but I found this in the search as I have the same problem.
The idler solves the main problem, but the idler itself is squeaking. I've actually replaced it (maybe twice) and the squeak comes back after a time. Gets a little better the more I drive it, but almost unbearable if the car has been sitting a while.
Maybe I'm over tightening my belt, but is there a better solution maybe that self tensions the belt?
thanks.
- Jonathan
I have about 20K on one of Rodney's units with zero problems. You can take a good look at mine to see if your belts are lined up as mine are before you spend an additional 'C' note. -Joe
[This message has been edited by josef644 (edited 04-11-2014).]
I have about 20K on one of Rodney's units with zero problems. You can take a good look at mine to see if your belts are lined up as mine are before you spend an additional 'C' note. -Joe
I don't know what the deal is with mine. Maybe I tightened the belt too much out of habit. I ordered another Dayco idler and belt in the mean time. If that fails in short time then I know something is wrong.
Okay something is definitely wrong because I replaced the idler and belt and it sounds exactly the same...as in something is squeaking loud and very noticeable.. Maybe its something else or the pulley bracket is bent. I really dont know whst to do next but its driving me crazy.
I'd check your water pump really well. I thought my tensioner pulley was making noise and replace the tensioner. Didn't help. spun the WP with the belt off and could hear it was bad. Was making a kind of rumble/squeal. Check the alt also of course.
I'd check your water pump really well. I thought my tensioner pulley was making noise and replace the tensioner. Didn't help. spun the WP with the belt off and could hear it was bad. Was making a kind of rumble/squeal. Check the alt also of course.
Can a water pump bearing go bad like that? I've always had them leak but never make a little squeaking sound. At this point I think it has to be something else besides the idler. I can't imagine a new belt squeaking like that. I could bypass the ider with a stock belt, but I'm already tired of messing with it.
Is there a microphone gizmo that can pinpoint where a sound is coming from? It doesn't sound like the alternator and it's relatively new.
I'd check your water pump really well. I thought my tensioner pulley was making noise and replace the tensioner. Didn't help. spun the WP with the belt off and could hear it was bad. Was making a kind of rumble/squeal. Check the alt also of course.
Good points, both.
I've had water pumps that growled but didn't leak. And an alternator that growled but before I got around to investigating further it seized and the belt wouldn't slip so it stalled the engine at a stop sign! It was a long walk home to get tools...