Friday, June 3, 2011

How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?

I have a 96 Chevy Tahoe and recently the serpentine belt system has been squeaking. It used to only do that when it was humid or moist, but now it seems to be all the time. Anyone with car knowledge know an easy solution? This truck isn't worth much so I don't want to put any more money into it than absolutely necessary.



Thanks!How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?If it is %26quot;toothed%26quot; belt, it is likely a lack of lubrication on one of the pulley shafts or the idler or tensioner pulleys. A toothed belt can not %26quot;slip%26quot; so it must be a bearing lacking lubrication causing the squealing. If it is a %26quot;smooth%26quot; belt or a %26quot;V%26quot; belt, then it could be slipping in addition to the same bearing lubrication problem. A slipping belt rapidly %26quot;glazes%26quot; on the mating surfaces. Examine the surface of the belt and you may see scorch marks from the belt getting from the friction as it slips under load. It may help to use a bright light and a mirror to actually see the belt surface. If the belt is slipping, then it is either worn out (hard, dry, cracked, which results in a smooth surface which loses grip) and needs to be replaced or the tensioner is not adjusted correctly to exert enough pressure on the belt. On some vehicles, it is a real pain to set the tensioner. Some vehicles use the alternator adjustment to pull the belt tight. The reason why it used to squeal only on rainy or damp days was water, dew, condensing on the belt acting like a lubricant and once it starts slipping it continues even if the water evaporates. I would readjust the tension to tighten the belt and see what happens. Increasing the belt tension will likely work for a while, but the damage is done and it will start slipping again soon, but you WILL have time, days, to get to a parts house to get a replacement. You can replace a smooth belt relatively easily once you identify the tensioner adjustment, but the toothed belt is also the timing belt for the camshaft(s) and you can easily misalign the teeth inadvertently and you could damage the engine internally and not realize it. And it is likely a toothed belt will require some special tools you do not have. If you do have a toothed belt, you CAN replace it yourself. Look on the engine crankshaft pulley for a timing mark and a pointer. Turn the engine by hand until the mark aligns with the pointer. Examine the camshaft pulley. You will likely see a mark there as well aligned exactly like the crankshaft. Examine all of the other pulleys as well for marks and pointers. The idea is before you loosen the tensioner, you have all of the marks identified and aligned. Only THEN do you loosen the tensioner and remove the belt. Then you thread the new belt making sure the marks stay aligned. If all the marks are aligned, only THEN set the tension. I've replace several belts of both types over the years. The biggest problem is actually getting the smooth belts tight enough when it takes prying on the alternator to exert tension on the belt, which is actually quite easy if you have a helper exert tension with a prybar while you tighten the support bolts to hold it in place.How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?The belt or the belt tensioner is worn out.



replace the belt yourself for around $30 or take it to a shop for around $70



tensioner isn't very expensive either.



both can be done by the do it yourselfer with basic tools.





Avoid using any belt dressing products as they will only be a temporary fix- the squeal will come back worse than ever.How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?If by serpentine you mean timing belt!!!! i wouldn't advide doing it yourself as u cold *** up the car entirely!!!How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?Take the belt off and check all the accessories to see if any pulleys are stiff and if none are get a new belt. The squeaky one is worn out.How can I make the serpentine belt system in my Tahoe stop squeaking?Replace the belt and tensioner.

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