4.3L Pulley and Belt Problem

[SteveNixon]

Looking for some help with a problem i just can't get to the bottom of. I've got a 2003 Silverado with the 4.3, auto, 2wd. I bought it back in the summer with 192K and within 7000k i had to change the idler pulley and the tensioner pulley as the bearings were rough. Going into the winter the belt would squeal when it started up. Normal i thought, but it wouldn't go away even after driving a while. Shot some liquid wrench on the alternator, no change, shot it on the tensioner pulley, and it instantly shut up. replaced the pulley for free. 2 weeks later, exact same thing, sprayed it again and it stopped. This time i bought the whole tensioner and pulley, thinking something wasn't lining up or bent. This lasted one lasted a month or so. Sprayed some liquid wrench on it, but it only stays quiet for a few minutes now. Sprayed the belt with some dressing, and the squealing is now worse! It's getting embarrassing driving this truck now, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[sechracer]

Originally Posted by SteveNixon

Looking for some help with a problem i just can't get to the bottom of. I've got a 2003 Silverado with the 4.3, auto, 2wd. I bought it back in the summer with 192K and within 7000k i had to change the idler pulley and the tensioner pulley as the bearings were rough. Going into the winter the belt would squeal when it started up. Normal i thought, but it wouldn't go away even after driving a while. Shot some liquid wrench on the alternator, no change, shot it on the tensioner pulley, and it instantly shut up. replaced the pulley for free. 2 weeks later, exact same thing, sprayed it again and it stopped. This time i bought the whole tensioner and pulley, thinking something wasn't lining up or bent. This lasted one lasted a month or so. Sprayed some liquid wrench on it, but it only stays quiet for a few minutes now. Sprayed the belt with some dressing, and the squealing is now worse! It's getting embarrassing driving this truck now, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

1. If you are getting the part from a regular parts store, try the dealer. Costs more, but its worth it alot of the time.
2. replace the belt. Belt dressing is nothing but a band-aid.

Just my $.02

[16th hippy]

you could also have another pulley that is bent, or coming off. check all of them to be sure. agree on the sprays, one is a lubricant that will make the belt slip, and the other is a temp fix. let us know what you find.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by SteveNixon

Looking for some help with a problem i just can't get to the bottom of. I've got a 2003 Silverado with the 4.3, auto, 2wd. I bought it back in the summer with 192K and within 7000k i had to change the idler pulley and the tensioner pulley as the bearings were rough. Going into the winter the belt would squeal when it started up. Normal i thought, but it wouldn't go away even after driving a while. Shot some liquid wrench on the alternator, no change, shot it on the tensioner pulley, and it instantly shut up. replaced the pulley for free. 2 weeks later, exact same thing, sprayed it again and it stopped. This time i bought the whole tensioner and pulley, thinking something wasn't lining up or bent. This lasted one lasted a month or so. Sprayed some liquid wrench on it, but it only stays quiet for a few minutes now. Sprayed the belt with some dressing, and the squealing is now worse! It's getting embarrassing driving this truck now, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

i have seen the wrong belt , too small in length cause bearings of pulleys and water pump and alternator etc.... fail look at the tensioner is it in the middle region?

[gremlin96]

liquid wrench and wd40 is not a grease. thay will remove the grease in your tensioner pulley. belt dressing is a temp fix. the belt will squeal when cold or going thru temp changes. clean the belt or change it. remember to clean all the pulleys, since it will have belt dressing all over them.

i see you changing your alternator in a few months. grease escaping from the bearings.