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?

Re: Startup Squeak
 

Pull the belt off and start her up.

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..

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.


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Re: Startup Squeak
 

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.

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?

Re: Startup Squeak
 

Dominic---

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

Re: Startup Squeak
 

Bob,

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

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.

Re: Startup Squeak
 

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