Startup Squeak - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

XfireZ51 · 10-04-2018

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 · 10-05-2018

Pull the belt off and start her up.

-=Jeff=- · 10-05-2018

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 · 10-05-2018

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.

Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry

XfireZ51 · 10-05-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=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..

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 · 10-06-2018

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 · 10-08-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

Dominic---

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

XfireZ51 · 10-09-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by WARP TEN

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 · 10-09-2018

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 · 10-09-2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

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%20W...0tensioner.htm

10-04-2018	#1
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,683	Startup Squeak 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?

10-05-2018	#2
FU Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Found Member Posts: 4,327	Re: Startup Squeak Pull the belt off and start her up.

10-05-2018	#3
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,156	Re: Startup Squeak 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.. __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Flowmaster Cats - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Shelby Series 1 - Wilwood Brakes Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

10-05-2018	#4
Jagdpanzer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,646	Re: Startup Squeak 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. Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry __________________ Phil Wasinger 1994 Torch Red ZR-1 WAZOO Member George Braml Intake

10-06-2018	#6
XfireZ51 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 9,683	Re: Startup Squeak 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?

10-09-2018	#9
32valvZ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 1,061	Re: Startup Squeak 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.