What makes a chirping noise?

BARRY724

MEMBER
1988 CHEVROLET BERETTA
240,000 MILES

After driving I hear a chirping sound coming from the pulley area but cant tell if it is coming from the alternator or a loose pulley or is it the timing belt?But it is in that area which is the front of engine, especially during idle and I dont hear it until after I have been driving for a while, but it definitely coming from the top/front of engine.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

Dribble a little water on the smooth back side of the serpentine belt while the engine is running and it's making the noise. If the sound changes, it's the belt. First look for any pulley that is tipped and making the belt out-of-alignment. You look for that by looking for anyplace the belt is peeking out to the side when you sight along all of the pulleys. A tipped pulley can be caused by a mispositioned component but more commonly it's due to a worn bearing in an idler pulley. The bearings can make a chirping sound too. The tipped pulley causes the belt to slide sideways across it as it goes around it. Don't use any type of belt dressing on serpentine belts. That will make dirt stick to it and the noise will get much worse.

Also check that the belt is tight. You should probably do that with the engine not running! Tug on it and watch the spring-loaded tensioner pulley move. It should move back smoothly when you release the belt.