Serpentine Belt

topo4u2 · October 20, 2005

Hi GMTECH,

As you know from previous posts my 05 Silverado,5.3V8 has 39000km. For the past month or so the belts have been making a slight squeel when cold, especially in rainy weather. I purchased a new A/C belt (the cheaper of the 2) but it was still there. So it looks like its the longer Alt belt ($70.00). My question. There are no signs of wear on this belt or cracks of any kind. The noise goes away as soon as I apply WD40. Should I replace this belt anyway? Is it due for a change at that mileage under general maintenance? Or just leave it?

Thanks.

Wingnut · October 20, 2005

WD-40 is considered a cleaner/lubricant. It also sucks the natural moisture out of rubber (this is my experience anyway).

And you've been spraying it on parts that are supposed to stick to each other?

gmcjoe · October 20, 2005

You should replace both belts around 50K miles or so.

I'm overdue on mine and hear some squealing.

Cheap insurance

GM-Tech · October 20, 2005

Spraying the belt with any type of lubricant is only a temporary fix and often just makes matters worse. Never ever do this. Replace both belts, making sure to clean the grooves in all the pulleys that have grooves. A wire brush works good followed up with spray brake cleaner.

If you still have a chirp issue after that, you probably have a pulley alignment problem, most likely the power steering pulley.

topo4u2 · October 20, 2005

Roger that,

Well, one belt is changed so one more to go...damm expensive one of course. I should have made my point with WD more clear. I did not spray all the time..just once to determine if the squeel was a belt or not. Actually I mentioned it to the dealer a few oil changes ago and they applied dressing and the noise went away only to come back a few weeks later.....so off to the parts dept for a belt this weekend.

Thanks for the replies.

At least I will have 2 spare belts now.

Hecktorx · October 20, 2005

I just replaced my large belt with a goodyear gatorback. I had the same squeal. It's quiet now. It was only $40 from Summit.

topo4u2 · October 21, 2005

Ordered the belt from local dealer here...should be in tomorrow am. No one else had it...but I got it at mechanic discount....$51.00. I will have to live with that...thanks for all the replies.