2007 chirp after engine degreasing

Hi guys, question. I degreased my engine (aerosol) after washing and waxing last weekend, first time I drove it afterwards have a chirp sound coming from the belt area. Seems rpm related, starts around 1500-1800rpm, doesn't do it in neutral or when the clutch is in, my truck is 5 speed manual. The serpentine belt is new. Having no other problems as far as the truck running, shifting, a/c etc. Just this chirping sound. I bought some belt dressing, which now I've read is not good, and sprayed a little on the serp. belt while the truck was running, definitely helped for a minute...now chirp chirp chirp again.

Where would you start? Did I degrease something I wasn't supposed to? I'm trying to do this myself any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much.
Linda

 

The belt or tensioner got wet and that's why it was chirping. The belt dressing you sprayed on it didn't help with that either.

 

My guess is your pulleys got crap in them when you were cleaning and need to be replaced. The stock ones are not sealed and spraying them down with degreaser most likely stripped them of any grease they had left in them. Your trucks also old so it could of been ready to go anyway and you just sped it up a little.

Remove your belt.

Spin each pulley by hand.

You should be able to tell which one is bad - it will have more resistance to it or it will make noise.

Rockauto has Gates sealed pulleys in stock for cheap and they are far superior to the stock ones.

If your tension pulley is shot and the spring is fine DO NOT try and replace the whole assembly. You can simply replace the pulley itself. This wil save you a TON of time and money.

If you on a budget a pulley should cost less than $20 shipped. if your not I would suggest swapping them all because if ones going chances are they all may be. Save the old ones and after a good cleaning and re-greasing keep them in the truck for spares.

If you need part numbers or instructions hit me up via PM.

 

odd that the it does it under load, cant think of anything in the belt system that is affected by engine load

 

pulleys that are on their way out.?.

I know that's what mine did

 

Thanks so much for the help, I appreciate it. I've never attempted a repair like this, but I'll give er a shot LOL. Yeah, didn't have any probs until the degreaser, first and last time I'll ever use that crap. I did google the symptoms to see if I could re lubricate the pulleys but evidently they do have some kind of dust shield/seal so that is out. Just looking at the front of the engine the other day when I put the dressing on I noticed that the lower pulleys looked rusted, the ones on top looked good.

 

I can give you a step by step how to in order to find out if its them. Just not now. if they do need replacing It's pretty easy and requires a ratchet, socket, and Philips screw driver.

There are threads on here if you want to look them up as well. Search "gates pulley" and some should pop up. Good luck. If your still in need of help feel free to pm me.

 

I forgot to ask. Will I be okay driving it until the pulleys get here? I don't want to damage anything.

 

If one blows it could throw the belt and that could be bad if it hit tha rad. Mine squealed for months and I was ok. I suggest you test each one before ordering because there is a chance its not them and I would hate for you to do all the work to find out it didn't help.

 

Before replacing pulleys try replacing the belt. The degreaser might have dried your belt out. You said the squeak went away with a little belt dressing. Don't use Dayco belts as they are known to squeak. Hope this helps because that belt squeak or chirp is the most annoying sound ever.

 

if it is the pulleys

blue locktight



new vs old



pulley part #'s and torque specs

 

Another tw member has a great backyard mechanic trick for determining where the noise is comming from. Get a big piece of hose (radiator hose), & put 1 end up to each pulley, the other to your ear. Since u need to do this with the engine running, please be careful! It should be easy to tell which pulley is making noise. Good luck & keep us informed.

 

^^ They call him, Lefty.