What are the major sources that would cause the accessory drive pulleys (water pump, power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator, etc.) to make noise?

1. Crankshaft pulley bolt is not tightened to GM specs (37lbs + 140 degrees)?

2. Re-using a torque-to-yield crankshaft pulley bolt?

3. Contamination on pulleys and or belts?

4. Bad needle bearings in one or more pulleys?

5. Bad pulley belts, wrong pulley belts?

6. Bad drive components - water pump, AC Compressor, power steering pump, etc.?

7. Tooth fairy curse?


What is the best way to diagnois this issue in an F-body? I have a stethoscope but I can't readily tell exactly what is sqeeking. Sometimes it squekes and sometimes it does not.

Any ideas on how to fix this curse? Are there any GM factory notices to GM dealers on this issue?


Thanks...

 

I thought you were already told to get a new crank pulley bolt and tighten it to spec. Did you ever do this?

 

Yeh, I replaced my old crank bolt with a new factory TTY bolt. I torked it down to the factory specs....

the problem got worse, however.

After that exercise, I took the belts off and washed the pulleys and belts in soapie water.....

The problem is very minor now and is intermitant....

I had a similar problem a few years ago. I changed a few pulleys, got new belts, tightened the crank bolt, etc. None of these "fixes" helped but, to my surprise, after a month or two the noise went away!

Unfortunately, I am having the same issue again.

 

Hmm...well that's confusing maybe one of your pulley's bearings are bad. I would of thought the new bolt would have worked.

 

I replaced a main tensioner pulley with a Thunder Racing ---->
unit about a year ago. The A/C does not seem to effect the squeel so I am assuming the issue is something in the main belt loop.

My H20 pump and power steering pump are only 1.5 years old so I doubt it could be those items.

I may swap the main belt for a new one again to see if that could fix the problem.

 

Good idea. This is kind of strange. It may just need a new belt.

 

A bad serpentine belt in and of itself usually doesn't squeal - they just shread. I'd look real hard at replacing the idler tensioner assembly again. Some LS1 cars eat them like candy.

 

When you say idler tensioner assembly? Is this:

1. The entire tensioner including the alumium housing that has the loaded spring inside, or

2. Only the "pulley" that bolts to the alumium housing?


Where is this purchased - a dealer only item? Can these be rebuilt with a replacement bushing? What about a salvage unit?

 

The main assembly pulleys have more wear showing on the inside of the pulleys. I would assume this means all (some) pulleys are not aligning properly.

I used a double roller timing chain. Has anyone using these reported issues with belts squeeling. I just checked the timing chain, cam retainer plate and everything looks great after 12K miles.

 

You can get a Katech one from speedinc. http://www.ls1speed.com/catagory.cfm?catagory=Engine

 

Might not be your cause but mine squealed like a banshee, turned the AC on and got worse. Just after that the compressor crapped out (bearings went), .....just my $.02

 

mine chirps like a bird, I think it is my tensioner, I can watch it move about 1/2 inch too and fro.

 

tensioner is usually what i found to be the culprit of 80% of the belt squeels that i have come across. also make sure that your belt isnt glazed, that will cause a squeel too.

 

ghgfgdh

 

you might want to check your harmonic balancer to see if it is postioned correctly on the crankshaft.Mine had shifted 1/8" to far back out of spec causing belt squeal.Realigning the balancer took care of my belt squeal.Just a thought

 

Belts and their mating pulley surfaces can glaze. I
have taken 220-grit sandpaper to alternator pulleys
before. Not on the Camaro though.

Pulley being out-of-plane would give the belt a hard
time, I think this is what your pulley bolt deal is about
but it could also be a pulley that is just out of
tolerance, for crankshaft seating depth. Some of that
around, I think; seen complaints to that effect.