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Squealing Fan Belt?

b_zieman

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b_zieman Enthusiast

b_zieman

Posted
Posted

Okay, Ive got an 03 Sierra with the 4.8l engine. When I start it on mornings when there is moisture the truck is making a high pitched squealing noise for about 10 mins until the moisture is gone. I can make the noise go away if i spray the fan belt with wd-40, however doesnt fix it for long. Any suggestions or advice (cost to fix)?? Thanks!!

bossier62guy Senior Enthusiast

bossier62guy

Posted
Posted
The truck has 47,000 miles on it. How hard is this thing going to be to change?

 

Should be a breeze if it's anything like an 02.....

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted

Wait...You're spraying a lubricant type substance onto something that's supposed to be grippy?

 

Weirdo :omg:

 

My experience is that the squeaking/squealing generally isn't the belt anyway, it's the bearings in the pullies. Both tensioners have horrible bearings.

 

However, if you're going to replace them, you might as well put new belts on while you're at it.

 

Oh, and if you do decide to do the bearings, don't buy all new pullies. Take the existing ones out and press out the bearings. Pull out your Yellow Pages and find the local bearing store. You'll pay around $5 for all the bearings instead of $150 for all new pullies.

2000DV4.8 Senior Enthusiast

2000DV4.8

Posted
Posted

I was having the same problem in my 4.8. I tried everything, new tensoiner bearings, new tensioner, the bearings in my alternator were bad so I got a new one under warranty, but the squeak never went away. After about 3 months messing with stuff, it ended up just being a $30 A/C belt. If you've got 47,000 miles on the truck, I'd reccomend just replacing both belts.

mini1 Enthusiast

mini1

Posted
Posted

Time for a new belt. Your belt is getting loose. After the truck has warmed up, the belt gets hot and doesn't squeak anymore due to increased grip.

Tahoetime Enthusiast

Tahoetime

Posted
Posted

I did a coolant flush on my Tahoe and got some coolant on the belt, it squeeked like a pig afterwards, even with liberal amounts of belt dressing applied to it.

 

 

I bought a Goodyear Gatorback belt and it totally solved the problem.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
I just changed the belt out..... started the truck this morning and the squeak is back! Any other guesses?

I have to agree with Wingnut. There is a bearing somewhere biting the dust.

 

I was having the same problem in my 4.8. I tried everything, new tensoiner bearings, new tensioner, the bearings in my alternator were bad so I got a new one under warranty, but the squeak never went away. After about 3 months messing with stuff, it ended up just being a $30 A/C belt. If you've got 47,000 miles on the truck, I'd reccomend just replacing both belts.

I really didn't know some trucks had 2 belts. My 01 4.3, and 05 5.3, only had one serpentine belt. I think my new truck is one belt too.

 

Doesn't really surprise me though...

b_zieman Enthusiast

b_zieman

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I just changed the belt out..... started the truck this morning and the squeak is back! Any other guesses?

I have to agree with Wingnut. There is a bearing somewhere biting the dust.

 

I was having the same problem in my 4.8. I tried everything, new tensoiner bearings, new tensioner, the bearings in my alternator were bad so I got a new one under warranty, but the squeak never went away. After about 3 months messing with stuff, it ended up just being a $30 A/C belt. If you've got 47,000 miles on the truck, I'd reccomend just replacing both belts.

I really didn't know some trucks had 2 belts. My 01 4.3, and 05 5.3, only had one serpentine belt. I think my new truck is one belt too.

 

Doesn't really surprise me though...

 

 

 

 

Here is my only question as far as it being a bearing.... Does it make sense, if it is a bearing, that it only makes the noise when there is moisture around? For example if I start the truck up on a dry morning, there is no noise, but when i start the truck on a day when there is moisture on the windshield it squeals for at least 5 or 10 mins..... I dont know much about bearings and noise, so maybe it does make sense... any thoughts?

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
Here is my only question as far as it being a bearing.... Does it make sense, if it is a bearing, that it only makes the noise when there is moisture around? For example if I start the truck up on a dry morning, there is no noise, but when i start the truck on a day when there is moisture on the windshield it squeals for at least 5 or 10 mins..... I dont know much about bearings and noise, so maybe it does make sense... any thoughts?

Could be lack of tension. The tensioner could be bad for whatever reason.

 

Keep in mind that on a problem like this, at best all we can do in here is guess. I'd run it by somebody that works on GM vehicles for a diagnosis before I spent a bunch of money replacing possibly good parts.

 

You're OK so far... At 47K you needed a new belt anyway.

caddycruiser Enthusiast

caddycruiser

Posted
Posted

If a new belt didn't help, I'd start looking at the tensioner pulley.

 

Different car, but on my one Chevy LT1, I was getting a horrible squeal whenever it was moist and the car had sat out in it, that didn't go away until things were warm and dry. Belt seemed fresh, but from reading, I saw the tensioner pulley was a very common cause.

 

Got a new AC Delco one (full assembly), popped it on, and silent ever since--they're a common thing, aside from belts, for sure.

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted
I just changed the belt out..... started the truck this morning and the squeak is back! Any other guesses?

I have to agree with Wingnut. There is a bearing somewhere biting the dust.

 

I was having the same problem in my 4.8. I tried everything, new tensoiner bearings, new tensioner, the bearings in my alternator were bad so I got a new one under warranty, but the squeak never went away. After about 3 months messing with stuff, it ended up just being a $30 A/C belt. If you've got 47,000 miles on the truck, I'd reccomend just replacing both belts.

I really didn't know some trucks had 2 belts. My 01 4.3, and 05 5.3, only had one serpentine belt. I think my new truck is one belt too.

 

Doesn't really surprise me though...

 

 

 

 

Here is my only question as far as it being a bearing.... Does it make sense, if it is a bearing, that it only makes the noise when there is moisture around? For example if I start the truck up on a dry morning, there is no noise, but when i start the truck on a day when there is moisture on the windshield it squeals for at least 5 or 10 mins..... I dont know much about bearings and noise, so maybe it does make sense... any thoughts?

 

 

I don't know how much sense it makes, but I've had to change enough bearings and enough pullies on these trucks (Yes Jim, including Fred already :cheers: ) to know that the ones that come on them from the factory are complete and utter crap.

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