Squeeking Belt/Pully Problem

[e3gordon]

01 Grand Am Gt1 118,000

I have a noise from the serpentine belt system that has been present for some time, probably 2.5 years but just now has started to get worse.

A little background, Bought new in 01, belt started to squeek in late 04, factory replaced the belt and the noise stopped for about 5 months then started to squeek again slightly. I thought it might be a bad bearing on a pully but cannot tell. Any way lately it has become even louder and am having trouble determining if I have a bad belt or something on the pully system is bad...

It is very loud when first started then quiets when the car is warmer, eventually becoming quiet at idle but chirpy squeeky with any throttle.

What should I check out to try to diagnose the problem?

[Slade901]

Check for any fluid dripping where the belts routes. You may have a small coolant leak, check other components with fluid on it as it may be dripping on the belt.

[e3gordon]

I will check the coolant leak theory but I thend to think tat that is not the reason since it does at instantly at startup and then quiets somewhat when it warms up

Any other possible cuases? I am not sure

[ecartman]

Originally Posted by e3gordon

I will check the coolant leak theory but I thend to think tat that is not the reason since it does at instantly at startup and then quiets somewhat when it warms up

Any other possible cuases? I am not sure

The A/C compressor clutch has been a problem issue with these vehicles. Look for metal shavings and rust around the clutch and hub. Does the noise go away when you turn on the A/C?

[e3gordon]

Don't think it is the Ac Clutch as the sound stays the same wit the ac on and off

[xeroinfinity]

Thier are no issues on the newr GA's with the AC clutchs.

The belt sqeal is normal with the stock belt, good year gator back belts are made to stop the sqeals.
Cost about 25$ and worth every penny IMO.

Might also check the belt tensioner they do crap out.

Hope that helps

[ecartman]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Thier are no issues on the newr GA's with the AC clutchs.

Maybe not in your area, but up here in Toronto I see them in the shop all the time. Not only Grand Am's though other models suffer from this problem. Cavalier, Sunfire, Alero, Malibu and to a lesser extent Grand Prix, Intrigue and Impala up to around the '01-'02 model years. Could have something to do with all of the salt we use on the roads in the winter.

[J-Ri]

Just to be sure it isn't a pulley, spin every pulley by hand (probably can't spin P/S or W/P fast enough) while you have the belt off to replace it with a gatorback. They're great belts. I just installed my 100th gatorback belt yesterday.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by ecartman

Maybe not in your area, but up here in Toronto I see them in the shop all the time. Not only Grand Am's though other models suffer from this problem. Cavalier, Sunfire, Alero, Malibu and to a lesser extent Grand Prix, Intrigue and Impala up to around the '01-'02 model years. Could have something to do with all of the salt we use on the roads in the winter.

That might be true with the salt, but I think e3gordon is from Florida.
Sand may be in the clutch.....

And as J-Ri suggested check the pulleys for play or grinding.

[rodfoster]

I read about this not too long ago- Gates company claims that many accessory drive pulley systems are not 100 percent aligned-that is why a new belt will be quiet for some time then squeak again later, it wears a little bit improperly. According to what i read you can flip the belt around the other way and achieve the same result as a new belt. I am pretty sure it was a Gates website, and a link on there-check it out!