Belt Noise, So Annoying!

elcompalaline · November 9, 2009

Truck had some minor surgery last month (replaced t-stat) and I happened to get some Dexcool on the serpentine belt. So now on start-up in the morning I get the nasty whining noise from the engine bay which makes the truck sound like its running bad. I know its coming from the belt and tried cleaning both belts and pulleys with some mild soap and hit it with the pressure washer and no luck. Any idea on how to stop it from making that noise.

Green_Monster · November 9, 2009

I know you said you already tried washing it, but here's one for ya. One quick (although a little dangerous) is to run a piece of soap (Zest, Coast, etc.) on the belt as the truck is running. BE CAREFUL!!! I learned this when I was 16 from our mechanic. It does not always work. But anytime I had a squeek with my old 1984 Pontiac 6000, I just ran a piece of old nearly dried up soap from my shower on the belt and it always went away.

By the way, I always preferred Zest. It gave the car a nice fresh smell going down the highway.

elcompalaline · November 9, 2009

Well that one is different but now i have to wait till i have a bar of soap on its last breath to do it. LOL!

redvett · November 9, 2009

Replace the belt and clean the pulleys with carb or brake cleaner. GM does not advise any dressing or any other substance on the belt.

amtz.zero · November 9, 2009

I know you said you already tried washing it, but here's one for ya. One quick (although a little dangerous) is to run a piece of soap (Zest, Coast, etc.) on the belt as the truck is running. BE CAREFUL!!! I learned this when I was 16 from our mechanic. It does not always work. But anytime I had a squeek with my old 1984 Pontiac 6000, I just ran a piece of old nearly dried up soap from my shower on the belt and it always went away.

By the way, I always preferred Zest. It gave the car a nice fresh smell going down the highway.

Sounds scary...

mipsco1 · November 9, 2009

a bar of soap works wonder's. did it on my dodge and it would shut it up for another 2 months untill the leaking rad, ps pump or trans cooler would pee again. man i miss that dodge.

frdfandc · November 10, 2009

My 03 did this for a little bit after I changed out the water pump gaskets. I had to remove the belt, clean the belt with soapy water, dry it out. Then I applied dielectric grease to the belt surface in several places. Solved my squeak noise.

pm26 · November 10, 2009

I know you said you already tried washing it, but here's one for ya. One quick (although a little dangerous) is to run a piece of soap (Zest, Coast, etc.) on the belt as the truck is running. BE CAREFUL!!! I learned this when I was 16 from our mechanic. It does not always work. But anytime I had a squeek with my old 1984 Pontiac 6000, I just ran a piece of old nearly dried up soap from my shower on the belt and it always went away.

By the way, I always preferred Zest. It gave the car a nice fresh smell going down the highway.

Are you out of your mind? Never, I mean never get your fingers near moving belts and pulleys on a car or truck engine. I knew a guy who was missing one finger because he got it caught in the fan belt while the car engine was running.

Just replace the belt or remove it completely and wash in soapy water.

elcompalaline · November 10, 2009

Thanks for the input fellas, if you got anymore please keep em comin!

WaterGuy · November 10, 2009

Somewhere I read to use valve lapping compound.

Me, I just use GatorBack s-belts. Never a chirp.

ScottyBoy · November 10, 2009

+1 on the Goodyear Gatorback belts. I also sprayed some silicone spray lube on the belt on my 96 civic "hoopty". It quieted the squeak like clockwork.

georgecdisc · November 10, 2009

I used a Gatorback on my old truck that slowly leaked coolant onto the belt. Tried 2 different belts that were new, within 1-2 weeks they would be chirping then making a squealing. Put the Gatorback on and gone.... never heard the sound again.

georgecdisc · November 10, 2009

I wouldn't recommend using any kind of spray or treatment for a belt. I think I read once it is okay for the old V-belts, but serpentine belts it is a big no-no.

elcompalaline · November 10, 2009

Gatorback belt sounds like a good solution, anyone know which one I would need (07 Silverado LT with 4.8L) ?

jblakeney · November 10, 2009

I sell Gates belts. This comment is direct towards belt lube people... Lubing a belt on a serpentine belt system can be dangerous. First of any moron that would put his on hand near a spinning belt well lets say has a wish to loose fingers.

Belt dressings work great on V-belts. But when you toss in an automatic tensioner into the equation it sometimes can cause wrinkles in the hood. I watch a guy in a practically new Caddie do it one day in my parking lot. He had changed water pumps and the new pulley which had paint on it with an old belt was causing his squeak (old belts squeak on painted pulleys till the paint errodes away or the belt breaks).

The tensioner has a load pulled against the belt. When lets say an A/C clutch engauges it cause the tensioner to pull a heavier load against the belt. Just at the moment that the clutch kicks in the tensioner will jump slightly and then relax to a point that keeps the belt tight. If you are spraying in that mystical moment you can experence the flying belt.

Now with that Said. I believe I read 07 Silv with a 4.8L (so no strech fit belt)

105amp alternator takes a 25-060923

145amp alternator takes a 25-060930

A/C takes a 25-040378

If you find yourself with a stretch fit belt check this out.

Check your idler and tensioner pulleys for free spin. If you spin a pulley it should not free spin more than 4 rounds. Replace the pulley if it does as it is reaching the end of its service life.

Jbo