I Think I Need To Align The Idler Pulley, How Is This Done?

[hamboon]

I've had a chronic squeaking/squealing serpentine belt. Way back when it was under warranty, the dealer replaced the A/C pulley and the alternator, and the belt a couple times, trying to remedy the problem, but it always came back, first as a chirp at idle, then would get progressively worse and squeal almost all the time, until I changed the belt again. Used to get about 10K out of a belt before it got intolerable. This time the new belt only held it off for about 4K, so I replaced the tensioner assembly thinking it might be the problem, but it didn't help. So I read some good advice here that said to spray water on the smooth side and see what happens, and then the grooved. As soon as I sprayed a bit on the smooth side, the squeal went away immediately. It came back in a few minutes once the water dried. So I think it must be that the idler pulley is out of alignment, since it is what contacts the smooth side of the belt. If I get a new one, will it be correctly aligned, or does the alignment have to do with the mounting? If so, how can I adjust this? The pulley has splotches of belt residue on it, like it's worn it off the belt, so I'm pretty sure that there must be an alignment problem. Also, I'm wondering if cleaning off that residue might be solution that would help for a while, if the alignment isn't feasible.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[mi.bowtie]

Look and see if the power steering pulley is flush with the shaft. It should be. alot of times the pulley is about a 1/16 of an inch too far back. It should be flush.

Also shake on a bunch of Baby Powder on the belt (not running) than start the engine.

No joke. Try it

[Bostonsfavson]

Baby powder, huh? Is that like poor man's belt dressing?

[Mikeee]

Switch over to a Goodyear Gatorback belt.

In my experience, worked great in 5 of my vehicles.