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
Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 AT 5:23 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 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
  • 110,055 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
  • 110,055 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
  • 110,055 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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