Startup Squeak

[XfireZ51]

Don't know why, but it seems that as temperatures are dropping, initial startup of the cold engine brings w it a squeaking coming from the area of the serpentine belt, tensioner, and alternator. It goes away once the motor is warmed up and subsequent startups do not exhibit the same. The last time something like this happened, the alternator went out. Current alt is a reman'd Delco unit w fewer than 5K miles on it. I also did replace an older tensioner w a newer one.
Any thoughts?

[FU]

Pull the belt off and start her up.

[-=Jeff=-]

squeak? does it squeak with every revolution or seem to? what balancer do you have?

When I had my 2007 Malibu had a startup chirp only when cold, meaning if I start it and heard the chirp, shut it off immediately and started it again no chirp. turned out in that case it was the balancer..

[Jagdpanzer]

Try relaxing the belt tensioner with the engine idling. Also check if the AC compressor pulley is making contact with the air horn hose clamp.


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[XfireZ51]

squeak? does it squeak with every revolution or seem to? what balancer do you have?

When I had my 2007 Malibu had a startup chirp only when cold, meaning if I start it and heard the chirp, shut it off immediately and started it again no chirp. turned out in that case it was the balancer..


Jeff,

What about the balancer? This starts off quiet and as the motor warms up the squeak becomes louder and then slowly the squeak fades away as I drive the car and it warms up to operating temps. With the engine warm on restart, no squeak.

[XfireZ51]

Phil,

U hit it on the head. Started up today and squeak began to be more prominent. Took the butt end of a breaker bar and pushed on tensioner. Squeaking stopped.
Let off, squeak came back. Good to know its not a bearing in the alternator or something like that.
Aside, from replacing the tensioner (or should I bother) anything I can do to eliminate the squeak?

[WARP TEN]

Phil,

U hit it on the head. Started up today and squeak began to be more prominent. Took the butt end of a breaker bar and pushed on tensioner. Squeaking stopped.
Let off, squeak came back. Good to know its not a bearing in the alternator or something like that.
Aside, from replacing the tensioner (or should I bother) anything I can do to eliminate the squeak?

Dominic---

Marc rebuilds the tensioners for $139 in one day. --Bob

[XfireZ51]

Dominic---

Marc rebuilds the tensioners for $139 in one day. --Bob

Bob,

Wondering if I should have it rebuilt or replaced? Is the startup squeak a sign of impending problem?

[32valvZ]

I rebuilt the one on my 02 Z06. basically just remove the seals on the bearing, clean it up and repack with grease. it worked fine and the squeaking stopped.

[WARP TEN]

Bob,

Wondering if I should have it rebuilt or replaced? Is the startup squeak a sign of impending problem?

Marc says they are no longer made Here's the link to his notes on this. --Bob

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/products/accessory%20belt%20tensioner.htm

[-=Jeff=-]

Bob is correct, rebuild is now the only option

[XfireZ51]

Bob is correct, rebuild is now the only option

So u r saying it NEEDS to be rebuilt, correct?

[-=Jeff=-]

I am saying that if it is the problem and needs to be fixed, then rebuild is the only option other than a used part if you can find one

[GOLDCYLON]

So u r saying it NEEDS to be rebuilt, correct?

If you want to get rid of the squeak yes.

[XfireZ51]

I guess I'll get Marc's opinion. As I described, the squeak only manifests itself at first start, then fades to inaudible w warmup. It doesn't come back until the motor gets stone cold overnight. I do have a spare which is the one I swapped out thinking this one was newer. However, nothing wrong w old one, just a preventative measure. :neutral:

[tpepmeie]

This may be a silly question, but how old is the belt and are you certain it is the right size? Try the easy stuff first.


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[XfireZ51]

This may be a silly question, but how old is the belt and are you certain it is the right size? Try the easy stuff first.


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Todd,

Thanks for chiming in. Belt was changed last year when Pete rehabbed the motor when he found the busted compression ring on #7. Its the tensioner because slight pressure on the tensioner during warm up, as Phil suggested, eliminated the squeak by restricting travel of the tensioner. Remove pressure, squeak is back.

[jss06c6]

Dom,

Do you need a wheel? I've got one spare that I can send you. Mine is still holding on. When it goes out, I can find another..

Steve

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[XfireZ51]

Dom,

Do you need a wheel? I've got one spare that I can send you. Mine is still holding on. When it goes out, I can find another..

Steve

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Steve,

Thx but not necessary. I have a spare tensioner. Just need to swap pulley from the one on there. If I need one, I’ll drop it off to Marc.

[jss06c6]

Steve,

Thx but not necessary. I have a spare tensioner. Just need to swap pulley from the one on there. If I need one, I’ll drop it off to Marc.Ok..

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[GOLDCYLON]

Last start up squeak I chased down on my 90Z was one of the radiator fans. I would have shown it was the tensioner. But it was one of the fans

[Dynomite]

Steve,

Thx but not necessary. I have a spare tensioner. Just need to swap pulley from the one on there. If I need one, I’ll drop it off to Marc.

Time to install Billet Aluminum Pulley on the Belt Tensioner :p

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/400x400-1/80-belttensioneraluminumpulley_1__d9cd7156623a3cd3f44 97bab349dc36a01eb81ea.jpghttps://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/500x500-1/80-2cc21838_ccc9_49b4_aa01_c1d776536bdf_1__792c631e42 2298b35b544a326833860038813472.jpg

[XfireZ51]

GC,

Definitely the tensioner.

Cliff,

Not the pulley wheel but its the “arm”.

[Paul Workman]

Just an FYI, the pully for an LT1 will work just fine - except it does NOT have the shoulder ridges (works fine without them). After 7-8 years and ~ 40k miles it has never failed, i.e., still working fine.

[Ccmano]

Rebuilt mine last year with a new L98 doner. Followed Dynomite’s instructions. Piece of cake. No issues since.
H
:cheers:

http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?p=189755