Engine pulley noise

flhtvtwin · June 5, 2001

My 1998 GMC 1500 makes lots of noise from the front engine pulleys. It seems to be worse when it is cooler or raining outside. The tensioner seems okay. The belt is starting to get fine cracks in it so I will be replacing it soon. The engine is a 305, has 38,000 miles.

Anyone else have this noise?

Thanks for any help.

Shaners · June 5, 2001

If I had to guess (and even though you say the tensioner is fine), I'm thinking that is where your problem is. I'd replace the belt first and check for the noise. You should be able to get 50000 miles out of your belt, and it is only about 4 years old.

Start your truck when it is cold with the hood open and look and listen to the idler pully (tensioner). I've seen the bearings in these things go bad, and they don't spin well at first and then loosen up after a few minutes.

LT · June 5, 2001

Put just a dab of power steering fluid on your belt and if the squeal stops, your belt is probably at fault. If it doesn't look elsewhere as Shaners said, you should get 50,000 out of a belt.

Pastmaster · June 6, 2001

That or use some belt dressing. DO NOT USE WD-40 though. You might inspect the belt and/or remove it and turn it around and reinstall. Have done that several times with good results. Moisture gets underneath and causes that racket.