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Ser­pen­tine belt chirp

Tiny
DCKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
I had a serpentine belt that was making a loud chirping noise. Changed the belt and everything seems fine except I heard a little chirp when starting car this morning. Quiet and went away within thirty seconds. After this I also looked at the tracking of the belts. One had a bit of oscillation going on. Not a lot. Along with this the mechanic was supposed to check the tensioner. I'm not sure if it's holding the belt tight enough. Can these tensioners wear that way? Is there a way to check the tensioner by hand? This is a self tightening tensioner and frankly i'm not sure how that works no noise just that chirp today first few seconds. Maybe i'm over overreacting. I found a place on eBay that has a good tensioner for my car at halve the price of anyone else. Sorry about all the questions. This area of the car is frustrating for me. Don
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

You are correct. It is an automatic tensioner on the vehicle. If you look at the attached picture, number 2 in the picture is what is called an idler pulley tensioner. Tension is maintained via a spring in the pulley assembly.

Now, the proper way to test tension is by using a hand held scale to determine how much weight pressure needs applied before the belt moves a specific degree. However, take your hand and pull on the belt. Without the belt tensioner moving because of pressure, the belt shouldn't move much more than 3/4". If it does,. replace the tensioner.

Next thing. You mentioned a chirping. Make sure there are no leaks such as coolant getting on the belt. That can cause the belt to chirp until it dissipates then the noise will stop.

Here are a couple links you may want to look through:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-tensioner-works

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/serpentine-belt-tensioner-replacement

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
DCKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 125 POSTS
You mentioned pulling on the tensioner. Exactly how hard should I pull? :) If I just pull with a couple fingers it's right on. But if I pull harder I can get more movement. :/
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 8:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Actually, pull on the belt. It shouldn't move more than approximately 3/4" before the tensioner starts moving. There will be some belt movement, but if the tensioner starts moving before you hit approximately a 3/4" movement on the belt, replace it.

Also, reconfirm there is nothing getting on the belt. I have seen many water pumps drip coolant onto the belt causing a chirping.

Take care,
Joe
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
DCKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 125 POSTS
Thank you for that way of checking the tensioner. I had to go outside and check I probably got 3/4 maybe an inch before the tensioner moved. It's kind of hard to judge. I'll look again tomorrow when it's light out. If anything it started to move a bit sooner. I think I'm okay. Very clear way to tell. Thanks!
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
DCKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 125 POSTS
Going to post for an opinion on Lucas oil stop leak :) next.
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
I hope it helps. Do you have oil leaks? Could that be getting on the belt?

I have to be honest, I had a similar vehicle today that I replaced the intake gasket on. It's very common for them to fail and leak coolant. It's just a thought.

Let me know if you have other questions or I can help.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
DCKELLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 125 POSTS
I had minor leaks. I'm not seeing any coolant leaks. Cross my fingers as that would be a junk it out thing for me. The car runs great. No oil on belt.
Actually after the Lucas any seep is gone. The car sat for a year before it was gifted to me. I really don't want to repair a bunch of things and then, kaput. So far. Starter, AC compressor, brakes, door actuator. Serpentine belt. And the rear defrost. I need a car but not a headache. Thanks, Don
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Happy to help. Take care, Don, and let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 AT 6:57 PM

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