gfeller2006

Ok so I recently developed a hell of a squeal under the hood. It doesn't do it always, and seems to do it more when its cold outside. But when it does it will wake the neighbors! I recently replaced the main serpentine belt and it didn't help at all. At one time I thought it was the water pump but I am losing absolutely no water. When the hood is open it sounds like it is definitely coming from somewhere towards the passenger side of the motor.... Any thoughts or tips would be much appreciated... Thanks

Joshiedoom

iTrader: (4)

Passenger side to me says tensioner, take off the ac belt at the bottom and run it with it off to see if it goes away. (no it wont hurt a thing)

If it doesnt go away, there is a idler and tensioner on the ac side.

If it does go away then the tensioner is the best bet.

buddha845

iTrader: (3)

do this: https://ls1tech.com/forums/general-m...r-pulleys.html

its so easy and takes about 20 minutes to do all of them, I had the same symptoms and my squeal was in the AC pulley but it could be any one

gfeller2006

Ok thanks guys, Its going to be cold for a few months so I'm ok with removing the ac belt for now, do you have to remove it from under the car or can you from the top? Where I am right now I don't have any ramps or a lift. AC belts are cheap I guess I could just cut the damn thing off. Thanks in advance.

Joshiedoom

iTrader: (4)

Ive cut mine off when the compressor locked up. Its not to hard to get to from the bottom. i can do it without jacking the car up if on concrete.

gfeller2006

I cut the a/c belt off on my noon hour and the squeal went away! The belt was cracked pretty badly, what do you think the chances are of it just being the a/c welt being badly worn?

Joshiedoom

iTrader: (4)

Its possible. I have a tensioner( very very low miles, like 3k) and the idler that didnt make any noise if you want it in the future, very cheap. Its collecting dust in the shop.

Glad that narrowed down the problem

caseypryan

iTrader: (10)

To take pulleys off, are they all just bolts in the center?

Joshiedoom

iTrader: (4)

t50 torx is for the idler AC and I do believe its like a 14mm for the tensioner

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

its a 15mm on ALL the tensioner bolts

Joshiedoom

iTrader: (4)

It is not a 15 on the bolt on the ac tensioner at least on 98 cars. I was like wtf.....