aaron_douglas

Not sure if this was the correct place to post, but I've been having some belt squeal issues when it's cold or wet outside, and I'm pretty sure it's the serpentine belt or belt tensioner. I want to replace these, but I'm not for sure which belt to purchase. I planned to purchase a gatorback as I've heard good things, but I get several different results when I look it up. Anyone know exactly which gatorback to buy for a serpentine?

It's a 2001 Pontiac Trans Am. I think it's the serpentine because the squeal increases with RPM, and turning on A/C, etc. doesn't affect it. Though it only does it when cold or humid outside, so I'm not sure what's up there.

LS-ONE_DAY

These should be the proper part numbers for right length belts

Goodyear 4040410 Gatorback Poly V-Belt - A/C drive belt?

Goodyear 4060790 Gatorback Poly V-Belt - Serpentine belt

Amazon, local parts stores, summit, etc

aaron_douglas

Cool thanks. I also should have asked, will any belt tensioner for the LS1 do? I saw some on eBay like the Dayco 89146, just wondered if it really mattered. First time replacing a pulley or belt.

LS-ONE_DAY

That I'm not sure on, I would imagine so but I'll have to defer to someone else. I've never replaced my tensioner either

aaron_douglas

Alright. I had heard 90% of the time it was a pulley, not a belt when there was squealing, but the car has about 120k miles on it so I figure I'll replace the belt anyway either way. If the squealing doesn't stop after the new belt, I'll worry about the pulley. Thanks for the help.

kissmy99ss

iTrader: (4)

I have this exact problem, mine only squeels when its wet/cold/humid outside. then once the car warms up, normally about 6 miles worth of driving, the squeel stops.

MMWS6

Check allignment marks on tensioner. If the tensioner is all the way or close to the end of travel, then get the gator belt/s. If they are not stretched yet according to the tensioner marks, you may be into a tensioner along with the belt/s.

TheBlueKnight

iTrader: (4)

When mine was doing the same thing as yours it ended up being the belt. Threw a gatorback on their and the squeal was gone. Give that a try first before doing anything with the tensioner.

mrhtl

If all else fails rubbing a small amount of bar soap on the contact side of the belt, the kind you bathe with gets rid of squeals for a good period of time.