it all started off a few weeks ago when i replaced my alternator, i picked up a bottle of belt dressing, and if i spray it on the belt the squealing stops for a few days, or if i spray it only on the belt tensioner pulley the squealing will stop for a few days, but i dont have to put it on both the pulley and belt for the squeal to stop...i stopped by napa today and got a new tensioner pulley, didnt squeal when i first put it on, but shortly after it started again so i guess i ruled that out, tomorrow im gonna get a new belt and see if that solves the problem, how long do belts usually last? i think theres around 45k miles on it now, anything else it could be? wondering if maybe the entire tensioner is causing it? also its been pretty cold outside, and i know with my grand am i always had a problem with it squealing in the winter, just real annoying

*edit* whats the pulley on the top passenger side, dont know if its the tensioner pulley or idler pulley???

 

got a gatorback belt today, no squealing yet...knock on wood...

 

By 45k it could very well need a new belt. If the sound comes back, try replacing the idler pulley next. It is near the alternator. The one on the top is the tensioner pulley.

 

I had some loud belts myself. I just bought some gatorbacks and threw them on and now its quiet as can be.

 

how much is an idler pully and how much to change it?

 

GM PART # 12563326
List price: $48.90

No idea on cost to replace though.

 

Let us know how that goes. I had to settle for Continentals and I have the low rpm/coming to a stop squeakage.

 

i got my idler pulley from NAPA for like $19. its easy as hell to replace. it will take you 10 min. the idler pulley is the smaller size one, on-top and to the left of the alternator, and its held on by one bolt(forget what size..15mm maybe??)

 

idler pulley took me about 1 minute to replace just now. just one bolt through it.

Idler pulley was $16 at autozone... i really hate that place, but it was the only place open at 9pm.

still got squealy belt... going to get a gatorback and clean the pulleys before i put it on.

 

hmm, I just got back from a 400 mile trip to snowy VT this weekend and was experiencing the same thing you are, only my squeek was occasionally taking place at the same time as a burning rubber smell. Looks like my water pump bearing are trying to go south for the winter, and the pump is actually seizing up once in a while and causing the belt to smoke. I know this might not be your problem, but I too thought it was just my belt last week, and the new one didn't help. The bearing on your water pump could be going and causing the noise...and yes...I only have 41K miles on my car so it was also a suprise to me to find this out...you just never know

 

belt dressing is a temporary fix. I have the gatorback, but i think im gonna need a new tensioner on mine.

 

Ohh,

the family car is squeaking at interesting times, like start up, and while turning. the alternator was replaced, and a new belt was just put on with it, ...

so, could the power steering be going or the alternator, or is it from this cold weather that Philly has right now?