rodan

Lately i've been hearing an alternating squealing sound in the area around my drive belt and tentioner. Can't really pin point if it's the alternator, tentioner, or what. The belt is 5 monhts old so it's fairly new. has anyone else had this problem? i've tried belt dressing but it only work if applied daily annd it starting to get greasy and dirty in that area. could it be the tensioner?
_________________

Rhcmlc

I had the same problem. Took it to the dealer and had the tensioner replaced. Problem solved.

rodan

I thought of that but i've recently pinpointed the sound coming from my alternator but the real loud screechy sound comes from that pulley that sits in front of the motor mount and right below the power steering reservoir. And that sound gets louder ass i press the accellerator and quiets down when i decellerate or just take my foot off the gas. Any ideas what that pulley is for or if it can be replaced.

mrdan

first take your tensioner arm/pulley off--they are known for busting and throwing the belt off. i have a 99 malibu and that happened after i changed my water pump. the spring in the tensioner arm almost shot out. get that changed and check the belt for cracks, missing rows...etc and if it looks like it needs to be changed, do it. if that doesnt to it, keep asking around---dealerships, friends, independent shops.

rodan

I have found out exactly where that sound is coming from. Actually it is two sounds. One is coming from my alternator but the real annoying one is coming specifically from around the pulley right behind the motor mount and below the power steering fluid container an it is not leaking. I do not know if it is the pulley or what it's actually is for. But it's loud and screechy when i pull on the throttle or accellerate. I think that it is called the power steering pump pulley but not sure. Any ideas Post Up

timd

I had this same problem. Sounded like the power steering pump bearings were going out. Turned out to be the water pump!!! cause it seized up and melted the serp. belt. The noise was coming from the power steering pump pulley tho. I guess the sound was being transferred via the belt. Anyway, replaced the water pump on this 3.1 L and its all quiet now. Have you noticed if your coolant reservoir is low on coolant? Your water pump may be leaking slightly which is an early indicator that the water pump needs attention. Never saw any coolant under the car but when I changed out the water pump, I could see where it had been leaking thru the port near the shaft. Hope this helps!

quaddriver

you are describing the tensioner pulley. comes off with one wrench, advance has a metal one with bearing for $15, much better than the plastic on there

spliffs

i had the same problem in a chevy lumina. and it ended up being the a/c compressor was out and causing the high pitched screeching noise