Squeaking Belt? Maybe Idler Pulley?
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Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2005
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Squeaking Belt? Maybe Idler Pulley? Well, I just bought my hawk Maybe two weeks ago. I noticed that it would make a squealing sound when starting it on cold mornings, but then would soon go away after a minute or so. On Monday it started to do it constently and would never stop. So, today i decided to pull the belt and check everything before I assumed it was a Idler Pulley like most cases do. It ended up being my alternater and nothing else. I went to autozone and picked up a alt. for $175 and put in my car(first time working on LS1, not much different than the LT1). Started it up and runs great, no squeaking at all.
So, before you assume it is the belt or idler pulley, make sure to check everything else so no money is wasted!
Jonathan
So, before you assume it is the belt or idler pulley, make sure to check everything else so no money is wasted!
Jonathan
You will have to start pulling things off and checking one by one. I know that you can't pull the alt and check, but you can take the A/C belt off and if that doesnt take care of it. check the other pulleys and see how they spin or if they feel loose.
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 60
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I pulled the upper belt first and inspected it. Next I just turned every pulley that was on that system to try and find one that felt like it had a rough or squeaky bearing. Everything felt good and didn't make a sound until I started to spin the pulley on the alt. It started making a squeaking sound, so I immediately knew that was the problem.
I was a little pissed it was the alt. and not something simple and cheap like a idler pulley or belt. Oh well
I was a little pissed it was the alt. and not something simple and cheap like a idler pulley or belt. Oh well
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Cool info. I bought a cheap discount belt- not to replace a broke belt but the stock one just looked old and I thought why not change it on my terms instead of having it break on me. Well right from the get go that cheap belt squeeled like a pig when it was cold. It got so annoying I finally broke down and got one from the dealer and it never squeeled again, cold, hot.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Portland, OR
Same problem I just bought a 99 trans am that is in fantastic shape with 46K miles. First thing I'm noticing is belt squealing at idle, not very loud though, can hardly hear it over the rumble of the engine out of the aftermarket exhaust :-)
Do you specifically recommend brake cleaner vs a belt dressing type product? Do you apply it to the underside of the belt and allow it to distribute among the pulleys that way?
I just bought a 99 trans am that is in fantastic shape with 46K miles. First thing I'm noticing is belt squealing at idle, not very loud though, can hardly hear it over the rumble of the engine out of the aftermarket exhaust :-)
I just bought a 99 trans am that is in fantastic shape with 46K miles. First thing I'm noticing is belt squealing at idle, not very loud though, can hardly hear it over the rumble of the engine out of the aftermarket exhaust :-)
A gatorback belt fixed my issues and you will hear the majority of people on here say the same. Give it a shot!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Portland, OR
So I take it you do not recommend any kind of dressing product to start with? The belts are OEM and never been replaced. I don't think any of the pulleys have been replaced either.
Thanks for the reply - can you elaborate to a total LS1 noob what is "classic" about my post?
So I take it you do not recommend any kind of dressing product to start with? The belts are OEM and never been replaced. I don't think any of the pulleys have been replaced either.
So I take it you do not recommend any kind of dressing product to start with? The belts are OEM and never been replaced. I don't think any of the pulleys have been replaced either.
Maybe other guys have had luck "dressing" the belts but IMO its not worth it. If you're dressing the belts then you obviously know your belts are bad. So instead of wasting time and money on that just replace the belt to a belt that is designed to smother all those noises that you are hearing. Now that's IF the problem is the belts which in MOST cases I have found that to be the case especially in yours. You just said they are original belts DING DING DING
Last year I was in the same boat as you. Drove me nuts. Everyone said it was the pulleys including myself. I took them all off and greased them and no fix. I sprayed the belts with some kind of belt crap which is a temporary one drive solution. It only made a mess in my engine bay.
Boy, was I kicking myself in the *** after the hassle of all that when all I needed was a $20 gatorback belt
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8
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From: Portland, OR
I meant classic because the thread is so old nothing condescending towards you sorry.
Maybe other guys have had luck "dressing" the belts but IMO its not worth it. If you're dressing the belts then you obviously know your belts are bad. So instead of wasting time and money on that just replace the belt to a belt that is designed to smother all those noises that you are hearing. Now that's IF the problem is the belts which in MOST cases I have found that to be the case especially in yours. You just said they are original belts DING DING DING
Last year I was in the same boat as you. Drove me nuts. Everyone said it was the pulleys including myself. I took them all off and greased them and no fix. I sprayed the belts with some kind of belt crap which is a temporary one drive solution. It only made a mess in my engine bay.
Boy, was I kicking myself in the *** after the hassle of all that when all I needed was a $20 gatorback belt
Maybe other guys have had luck "dressing" the belts but IMO its not worth it. If you're dressing the belts then you obviously know your belts are bad. So instead of wasting time and money on that just replace the belt to a belt that is designed to smother all those noises that you are hearing. Now that's IF the problem is the belts which in MOST cases I have found that to be the case especially in yours. You just said they are original belts DING DING DING
Last year I was in the same boat as you. Drove me nuts. Everyone said it was the pulleys including myself. I took them all off and greased them and no fix. I sprayed the belts with some kind of belt crap which is a temporary one drive solution. It only made a mess in my engine bay.
Boy, was I kicking myself in the *** after the hassle of all that when all I needed was a $20 gatorback belt
If gatorback belts are designed do suppress this annoying sound, then that sounds like the right product for me! I'll do a little research on how they do that, I'm interested. Thanks again.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 26
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From: streamwood
same boat here but my alternator was bad so i replaced it and now it squeeks before it did not. i think its the alternator pulley but i will try the gatorbelt my self hopefully that fixes my problem
