96 blazer - belts making ticking noise

[pmezo]

For about the last week or so the belts have been making a loud ticking noise that doesn't stop. The faster I go, the louder the ticking noise. I tried spraying some wd-40 and it works great for about a half hour then the ticking noise starts again. The wd-40 works immediately the second i spray it... just doesnt last. Any idea what the problem is and how to fix it?

[old_master]

Remove the belt and check each groove of each pulley and each groove of the belt very carefully. There may be some debris stuck, if not, replace the belt.

[pmezo]

How easy is it to remove the belt? I've never done it before... any tips?

[old_master]

Release the tensioner, (on the passenger side below the alternator), with a 3/8" ratchet with a 1" extension, (it fits into a square on the tensioner), and remove the belt. You can access it a little easier by removing the upper fan shroud, (7 botls), but it's not really necessary.

[pmezo]

Any idea where i can get a new belt if that's the problem? Thanks for the help.

[old_master]

Any auto parts store should have it in stock, it's a very common belt.

[blazee]

The set-up of the 96+ engines makes it pretty easy to remove/install the belt without tools.
To remove: You can push in on the tensioner with your left hand and pop the belt off the idler pulley with your right hand, release the tensioner, and remove the belt.

To install: Route the belt leaving the idler pulley last, push in on the tensioner, and pop the belt on the idler pulley.

Here's a video showing the technique that I made a few years ago:
http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r...rrent=belt.flv

[pmezo]

Blazee.. that's a huge help... thanks brother. Any way i can test to see if it's the belt that's causing this ticking noise and not one of the pulleys or am i just going to have to buy a new belt and test it out that way?

Any idea where i can get a part number for this or where i can just order it online?

[blazee]

Before removing belt, you can inspect the belt with the engine running. Stay clear of the fan and any moving parts and just watch to see if the belt is jumping anywhere, and make sure that it is running straight.

After removing the belt, just do as Old Master recommended and check the belt and pulleys for any wear, and/or debris.

If the belt needs to be replaced, just about any parts store will have them in stock.

You can check their websites for nearby locations. Here's a few of the more popular ones, along with the part numbers.....

Napa:
Store locator:
http://www.napalocator.com/?st=STORE

Part numbers :

Cheap Belt Part Number = PBH6K960
http://napaonline.com/MasterPages/NO...t+-+Serpentine

Better Belt Part Number = NBH25060960
http://napaonline.com/MasterPages/NO...t+-+Serpentine


Advance Auto:
Store locator:
http://advanceauto.know-where.com/advance-auto-parts/


Part numbers:

Cheap Belt Part Number = 960K6
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_823780836___

Better Belt Part Number = 5060960
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...S_535698125___


AutoZone:
Store locator:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/sto...ocatorMain.jsp

Part Numbers:

Cheap Belt Part Numbers = 960K6
ValueCraft
Duralast

Better Belt Part Number = 4060960
GatorBack



If you just prefer to order online, you can do so from the places above, or from a place such as rockauto.com:

Rock Auto usually has lower prices than local chain stores, however those are offset by shipping charges and sometimes end up costing you more.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,8905

[bozr]

Love that clip blazee. That’s almost cheating. I think I’ll go try it just for fun.

[pmezo]

Im pushing the tensioner all the way down and im still not getting enough slack to get this belt back on idler pulley. Ive been pushing so hard on this tensioner that my thumb feels like its about to fall off. Anyone advice here for a first time installer??

[blazee]

You need to make sure that the belt is correctly positioned. If it is even slightly off center of one of the pulleys, you won't have enough slack to get it on. Just take your time and check the routing of the belt, and make sure that everything looks good, leaving the idler for last. Keep some tension on the belt at the idler pulley with your right hand so that the belt stays in position. Then push in the tensioner with your other hand and slip the belt on. First time is the hardest, after that you get the hang of it.

[pmezo]

finally got it all lined up and back on. My problem was i was using my hand to push the tensioner back instead of the 3/8th's ratchet. I practically broke my thumb trying to push that stupid thing back until i realized i could use the ratchet.

Anyways the new belts on and the ticking noise is finally gone. Thanks for the help.