2012 Chirping Noise - Flat Side Wear

All,

This is my first post on the forum. I have researched a little and have found some similar issues to what I have. However, I just haven’t seen one with a solution.

I purchased a 2012 4 Door - Long Bed Off-Road a few months ago. Love the truck. However when I bought it, it had a chirp in the serpentine belt. No problem right?? I just figured it was time to replace the stock belt and move on. I ended up replacing 2 of the idler pulleys while I was at it just for typical maintenance since I was in there. All was good for about 2 weeks when I started to hear a very faint chirp again. Over the next two weeks it got worse and was about the same as when I bought it. I had noticed when I removed the first one that it had some abnormal wear on the flat side of the belt on the shoulder. NO damage or wear to the ribbed side. (Sorry no pics)

I decided to remove the new belt and it had started the same abnormal wear pattern. I put on another new belt and also replaced the tensioner at this point. Chirp was gone for about another 2 weeks. Then it slowly returned. Same abnormal wear on the flat side. All pulleys seem in great working condition. I did order a Continental Elite belt to see if that would remedy the issue, but I know it’s something that is causing this wear.

Any ideas???

 

I should also add that the chirp is usually evident on start up. Once it is warmed up it seems to disappear at an idle once it has been driven. However RPM’s always make the chirp evident again and almost into a squeal.

 

All OEM replacement parts?

Something must be dragging or scuffing the flat side. Maybe some kind of control source(yellow paint or tape?)to see what it’s coming in contact with.

Either that or the belt isn’t routed correctly…

 

I will say that it isn’t all OEM replacement parts. Pulleys and tensioner were bought from local big box parts store. I have been reading that could possibly be the issue as well.

 

FYI I figured I would update the thread. I changed to a Continetal Elite belt from the Dayco's and that seems to have fixed the issue. At this time frame/mileage after a new belt the Dayco would have already started chirping both times I put a new belt on. Fingers crossed.