Pinecone

My girlfriend has a 98 Z28 and there is a hideous whine that comes from the engine bay when idling, driving, all the time and doesn't go away after driving it for a lil bit. The sound gets louder with RPM. I am gonna replace the belts because they are starting to crack.

I have read that the source of the noise could also be the power steering pump, if it was, would that mean the power steering was going, but the steering still seems fine to me.

Another question is, how easy are the belts to change, both of them, are they hard to get off, I see that I need to remove the intake. Does anything else need to come off? Do I have to have a special tool or will a socket and wrench work?

Thanks.

ACW

Don't know about the power steering - seems like it could start making noises before it gets bad enough to have noticeable problems in functioning, but just guessing, haven't looked into it yet.

"The drive belt will not cause the whine noise.
If the whine noise is intermittent, verify the accessory drive components are not the cause, by varying their loads making sure they are operating to their maximum capacity. An overcharged A/C system, a power steering system restriction or incorrect fluid, or a failing generator are suggested items to inspect."


And here's how to replace the belts:


Drive Belt Replacement - Accessory

Removal Procedure

1. Disconnect the following electrical connectors: Intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, Mass airflow (MAF) sensor
2. Remove the air intake duct from the following: Throttle body, Air cleaner box
3. Install a breaker bar with hex-head socket to the drive belt tensioner bolt.
4. Rotate the drive belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve tension on the belt.
5. Remove the belt from the pulleys and the drive belt tensioner.
6. Slowly release the tension on the drive belt tensioner.
7. Remove the breaker bar and socket from the drive belt tensioner bolt.
8. Clean and inspect the belt surfaces of all the pulleys.

Installation Procedure

1. Route the drive belt around all pulleys, except the water pump and belt tensioner.
2. Install the breaker bar with hex-head socket to the belt tensioner bolt.
3. Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve the tension on the tensioner.
4. Install the drive belt under the water pump pulley.
5. Install the drive belt onto the belt tensioner.
6. Slowly release the tension, on the belt tensioner.
7. Remove the breaker bar and socket from the belt tensioner bolt.
8. Inspect the drive belt for proper alignment.
9. Install the air intake duct to the following: Throttle body, Air cleaner box
10. Connect the following electrical connectors: MAF sensor, IAT sensor


Drive Belt Replacement - Air Conditioning

Removal Procedure

1. Remove the accessory drive belt.
2. Install a breaker bar with hex-head socket to the air conditioning (A/C) belt tensioner bolt.
3. Rotate the A/C belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve tension on the belt.
4. Remove the A/C belt from the pulleys.
5. Slowly release the tension on the A/C belt tensioner.
6. Remove the breaker bar and socket from the A/C belt tensioner bolt.
7. Clean and inspect the belt surfaces of all the pulleys.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the A/C belt around the crankshaft balancer.
2. Install a breaker bar with hex-head socket to the A/C belt tensioner bolt.
3. Rotate the A/C belt tensioner clockwise in order to relieve tension on the tensioner.
4. Install the A/C belt under the idler pulley.
5. Install the A/C belt over the A/C compressor pulley.
6. Slowly release the tension on the A/C belt tensioner.
7. Remove the breaker bar and socket from the A/C belt tensioner bolt.
8. Inspect the A/C belt for proper alignment.
9. Install the accessory drive belt.