Belt squeel, I'm about to go nuts.

2006 V6 with 30,000 on it. The belt constantly squeals so loudly that I'm embarrassed to drive my truck. It doesn't quite sound like the belt is slipping, I've heard that and it's a slightly different pitch, but I'm not ruling it out. Sounds to me likeit is coming from my alternator pulley. Coincidence that I changed my oil two weeks ago and when I pulled the filter, it dribbled oil in that direction? I always had a little squeak, but that's pretty much when it started to be bad. My truck sounds worse than the rust buckets that ply the road; you can hear me coming from blocks away.

Here's the kicker, I sprayed some no scrub tire cleaner on the belt, again by accident, and the truck was absolutely silent for five minutes, then the squeal came back. Did it again just to double check, yup, sounds like it shoudl for five minutes, then squeal.

Am I looking at a new belt, new pulley, dirty commutators in the alternator? Help me before I take this truck out back and shoot it.

 

Sounds like the pulley bearings are shot.

 

sounds like the belt is glazed, i would just replace the belt

 

+1

I had a 06 trailblazer and the idler pulley went out at 38K miles. Sometimes bearings will prematurely fail and cause a horrible squeal that sounds similar to a bad belt. If you get some water and pour it on your belt while the engine is running and the sound still persists, at your mileage it is most likely a bad bearing. Use your ears to locate the particular area and determine if a bearing has indeed failed. Replacing a idler pulley is a very simple and quick DIY job.

EDIT- If the water does do the trick, get a good belt replacement belt. Dayco, Gates, Goodyear and a few others make above average belts and are well worth the money.

 

My belt started squeaking a few weeks ago, too, but only sometimes. And usually only when I first start it up. After it warms up for a few minutes it's good. I wish I knew what to tell ya about yours, but I cna't even figure out what the heck's wrong with mine. Not meanin to hijack the thread, just wonderin if we could maybe have the same problem.

 

heres the deal. its the belt tensioner pulley bearings. dirt/moisture = squeek.

go to the dealerhsip and have them replace it. while you are there go to the parts counter and purchase a new belt too; should be due for replacement anyways.

my tensioner pulley died about three months ago.

 

Is the belt tight enough?

Find a long area of belt and grab the edges with your finger & thumb. Twist it.... If you can twist it PAST perpendicular, then the belt needs to be tightened.

I haven't gotten myself accustomed to the new trucks yet - so I'm not sure where you tighten the belt (assuming it has one tensioner for one belt).
If the tensioner is maxed out - you probably need a new belt.
I would inspect the condition of the belt and the pulleys. Make sure the belt is clean and not cracking. Make sure the pulleys are clean and not scored, or have grooves in them.

You can also take the belt off completely, spin all the pulleys by hand and *feel* the bearings. If you feel any rough spots, then the bearings are going bad.

 

Hang on a second, Serpintine Belts have a 30,000 mile lifespan? Seriously! What a pain. So if it's easy to do, has anyone done a right up?

 

I know what you mean...my 1st gen (04) squealed like a dying pig. It was embarrassing.


However, mine only did it when it was cold out. I see you are in Wisconsin...are you in the same situation? Has it done it when warm out?

I never solved the problem so I can't help you with the solution. I had a mechanic look at it and he verified that it was not a loose or oily belt but likely the bearings in the alternator. Not sure why it only did it in cold temperatures but I was careful to sell it on a warm day

 

They've gotta be tightened somehow.... Do they have a hydraulic or spring loaded tensioner? I should look at it.... get myself familiar with my own truck.

I know our corvette has a spring loaded non-adjustable tensioner. Of all things, the tensioner is maxed out and the belt is still too loose. Gotta get a new belt and see where we're at....

 

It has to have a tensioner. Otherwise you'd never be able to get a new belt on it. Not sure about the new Tacos but on the old ones it was simply a bolt located next to one of the idler pullies. Check your tension before you do anything else. If the tension is good, look and see if the belt is glazed. If so, check the pullies which means you'll probably have to pull the belt. Give em' a spin. If one is bad, replace it. Should be easy though and the pullies are maybe $10 each. If its under warranty, take it in.

 

60k + on a serpintine. Belt is glazed, but what the heck your under 36k its the stealers problem.

 

+1 on the belt. Had the same problem with my 06 Taco and I have had to replace the belt twice now. Definitely a belt issue from what you are describing. I went with aftermarket belts: Gates Belts from NAPA. Have not had a problem since. Just my $.02

 

It's warm and dry where I am. The belt is dry and doesn't appear glazed. There's no oil on the belt that I can tell. I wish I had the experience to remove the belt and check the various pulleys and tensioners, but I don't know what to look for. If someone were to do a quick photo write-up, they would be forever my hero.

I'm at 38 months so outside of the warranty. I need to double check my extended platinum warranty but I don't think belts or pulleys are included.

 

I have been experiencing the same squeaky sound coming from under the hood. I believe it to be either a pulley or the belt. It truly is embarrassing! So, today I changed the belt at home (surprisingly easy) hoping this will fix my problem.
I will return with more later...

 

I believe they have a longer life span. I have never changed mine; 117k miles. I asked the dealer when I should change it. He said when it starts squealing. There isn't a set interval for the belt. According to my dealer.

 

My truck had 15K on it when I got it and the belt was already worn out. I had to change it at 15K. Now I'm at 58K and have a squeak in the morning or when it's wet. I'm guessin either a tensioner or the belt again, but I wouldn't think I'd have to put 2 belts on it before 60K.