2003 Chevy Tahoe Serpentine belt tensioner pulley won't sto

Tiny
AIRMANJOSHHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
03 tahoe, 118000 miles, 5.3L V8 (T VIN), automatic

One of the pulleys started making a loud squeal like the bearings were going out. Narrowed down to tensioner pulley on serpentine belt. Replaced pulley with new bearing but noise hasn't gone away. With the engine running and the squealing ringing loud and clear I can shoot some lube into the front of the pulley and the squealing stops but then slowly comes back. I've tried installing without washer, re-installing old pulley and even installing new pulley then backing the bolt off a little bit to give it some 'room'. At times it quiets down or goes away after engine heats up and other times it just squeals no matter what (freeway speeds, slow speeds, cold engine, warm engine) so i'm really clueless. Any help will be much appreciated! Thanks!
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 10:00 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Normally it is good to replace the entire tensioner not just the pulley. The reason is the tensioner has a spring to keep tension - it becomes week and allows the belt to slip.

It sounds like to me your belt is slipping. Either the belt is stretched and needs replacing or the entire tensioner should be replaced.
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Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
AIRMANJOSHHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I decided to replace the belt which should have been the first thing I replaced considering the miles on my tahoe and that did it. I had inspected the belt first thing and it was in really good condition so I dismissed it as being the cause but after 118,000 miles it will definately have some stretch. Thanks for the help!
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

I am very glad to hear that the vehicle is fixed. If there is anything else we can do let us know.
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Sunday, January 25th, 2009 AT 1:21 AM

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