Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Pulley Noise Help! - Squeaking noise on cold startup

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2015 | 08:44 PM
  #1  
j498's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 3
From: US
Exclamation Pulley Noise Help! - Squeaking noise on cold startup

2000 T/A
ls1 m6
160K

Hi All,
Looking for advice about some squeaks I'm getting from of of the belt driven accessories. The noise is only on a cold startup and goes away once armed up. This just started recently and I can't seem to narrow down the problem. I've ruled out the A/C belt system as I don't have the noise when the serpentine belt is removed. I also pretty much ruled out the idler pulley as its new as of yesterday. Please see the video below.

All my belt driven accessories are fairly new:
  • Tensioner Pulley (Gates)- 450 miles of use. (the old dayco pulley wore out after a few thousand miles). I doubt this is the issue as the noise doesn't seem to be coming from the area.
  • Idler Pulley (ACdelco)- 100 miles of use. Literally replaced Yesterday. (old dayco pulley wore out after a few thousand miles)
  • Power Steering Pump (ACdelco)- 450 Miles of use. (old one leaked out the main seal and whined)
  • Alternator (AC Delco)- 375 miles of use. (old one had slightly squeaking bearing at times)
  • Water Pump (Gates)- 8k miles of use.
All my serpentine belt accessories are new in the past few months except my water pump (Gates), which it about 3 years old.
With the belt off, spinning the individual accessories by hand doesn't reveal any super obvious indications of a bad bearing. The only pulley that makes an odd noise is the water pump, which sounds like the seal is making noise when spinning by hand (no real signs of play). See the video below, I'm not sure if this noise is normal or not as I don't have a new one to compare.

Spinning accessories by hand . Weird water pump noise - Video:

Squeak Noise on Cold Startup - Video:



The alternator is a new Ac delco unit (3351075) that had a slight whistle to it since it was first installed. Not sure if it's related. The Power Steering pump has the tiniest bit of play only when pulling straight out, but I don't know what is normal/acceptable.

Can anyone help me pinpoint what the noise is or give any advice? Do the water pumps normally make such a noise when spinning by hand?
Reply
Old May 14, 2015 | 10:17 PM
  #2  
Majestic9C1's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
10 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,667
Likes: 22
From: Cincinnati, OH
Default

damn RIP headphone users lol


I would say its your water pump... its not supposed to sound like a dying cat when you spin it by hand
Reply
Old May 14, 2015 | 11:56 PM
  #3  
j498's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 3
From: US
Default

I was kind of leaning towards that just based off of the noise. I can't really remember how it sounded or felt when installing it about about 3 years ago. I really don't look forward to taking a dexcool bath to change this pump. Too bad no one makes parts that last, I though Gates was a good brand when originally buying the pump.. but having issues at such little mileage makes me think otherwise.

I still have a lingering suspicion about my brand new alternator that likes to whistle.. while it works. We shall see.
Reply
Old May 15, 2015 | 09:49 AM
  #4  
BrianLWheeler's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by j498
2000 T/A
ls1 m6
160K

Hi All,
Looking for advice about some squeaks I'm getting from of of the belt driven accessories. The noise is only on a cold startup and goes away once armed up. This just started recently and I can't seem to narrow down the problem. I've ruled out the A/C belt system as I don't have the noise when the serpentine belt is removed. I also pretty much ruled out the idler pulley as its new as of yesterday. Please see the video below.

All my belt driven accessories are fairly new:
  • Tensioner Pulley (Gates)- 450 miles of use. (the old dayco pulley wore out after a few thousand miles). I doubt this is the issue as the noise doesn't seem to be coming from the area.
  • Idler Pulley (ACdelco)- 100 miles of use. Literally replaced Yesterday. (old dayco pulley wore out after a few thousand miles)
  • Power Steering Pump (ACdelco)- 450 Miles of use. (old one leaked out the main seal and whined)
  • Alternator (AC Delco)- 375 miles of use. (old one had slightly squeaking bearing at times)
  • Water Pump (Gates)- 8k miles of use.
All my serpentine belt accessories are new in the past few months except my water pump (Gates), which it about 3 years old.
With the belt off, spinning the individual accessories by hand doesn't reveal any super obvious indications of a bad bearing. The only pulley that makes an odd noise is the water pump, which sounds like the seal is making noise when spinning by hand (no real signs of play). See the video below, I'm not sure if this noise is normal or not as I don't have a new one to compare.

Spinning accessories by hand . Weird water pump noise - Video:
Ls1 water pump noise - YouTube

Squeak Noise on Cold Startup - Video:
Ls1 Accessory Noise/Squeak - YouTube



The alternator is a new Ac delco unit (3351075) that had a slight whistle to it since it was first installed. Not sure if it's related. The Power Steering pump has the tiniest bit of play only when pulling straight out, but I don't know what is normal/acceptable.

Can anyone help me pinpoint what the noise is or give any advice? Do the water pumps normally make such a noise when spinning by hand?
Good morning, everyone. Brian Wheeler from Dayco here.

After watching the video, it is possible that the noise is coming from the water pump bearing.

Also, it appears that the noise could be caused by pulley misalignment, especially since the noise occurs in the morning after start-up, but then goes away once warmed up. If possible, you should probably perform a water spray test onto the belt’s ribs right after start-up (while the noise is still occurring), and if it immediately goes away, then it is most likely the belt (i.e. pulley misalignment) rather than the water pump.

Hope this helps!

Brian
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2016 | 08:52 PM
  #5  
j498's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
15 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 3
From: US
Default

Sorry to kick this up... I forgot to update this. After a while of messing around with the car, the belt squeak/squeal issue did turn out to be the power steering pump pulley. Originally I installed the P/S pulley on the new pump with the same clearance and in the same position as the old pump. I tried pulling the pulley of in a few different positions until it was visually misaligned to no avail, and tightening it on any more felt like the pulley was going to break.

It turns out with the new pump that I had to set the pulley slightly more on to the PS pump shaft than normal for it to line up correctly and for the belt noise to stop. I can only guess this is due to slight variations in the pump body. The pulley felt like it was on the verge of breaking for me to get it on into the correct position, as they get very tight the more you go press them on.

The hardest part was really figuring out which direction to go with the pulley and how far.This required some interesting belt techniques.

Hope this helps someone in the future.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:47 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE