Chirp Chirp Chirping... belt tensioner?

[billschroeder5842]

I'm getting a pronounced, rhythmic "chirp, chirp, chirp" upon first cold start and/or until the engine warms. In the winter, the noise is pretty regular and I got it yesterday (after a care full engine wash/detailing) and again this morning when started. The "chirp" increases with RPMs and will disappear after the engine warms.

I'm having a hard time isolating the noise (it clearly is coming from one of the rotating assemblies) but my gut says "belt tensioner." My serpentine belt has only about 4k miles on it, but I do have a used spare.

Is there "best practise" way to find/prove a faulty belt tensioner (or other) and where the heck do you find a replacement if needed? These tensioners are impossible. I've seen where guys rebuild the tensioner?

Thanks!

[ram_g]

Originally Posted by billschroeder5842

...and where the heck do you find a replacement if needed? These tensioners are impossible. I've seen where guys rebuild the tensioner?

Thanks!

ZR-1 newbie here so presumptuous on my part to answer, but I did just see yesterday on Marc Haibeck's site where he confirms that they're not available new and he rebuilds the tensioners.

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20W...0tensioner.htm

[Jagdpanzer]

With engine idling try relaxing the the belt tensioner to see what effect it has.


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[billschroeder5842]

Originally Posted by ram_g

ZR-1 newbie here so presumptuous on my part to answer,

No presumption at at-- thanks for the lead! I may have to go that route.

[billschroeder5842]

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

With engine idling try relaxing the the belt tensioner to see what effect it has.

Will do, but I'll have to wait till tomorrow as I drove today and the chirp disappeared once warm.

[32valvesftw]

I had a chirp like that that ended up being loose exhaust manifold bolts. Its a bit of work, but you could remove the belt when the car is cold and run it for a minute or so and see if it still chirps.