belt chirp at 750<RPM<1000

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My 98 chevy truck, which has a 4.3L V6, makes some belt noise. The truck doesnt get used much, perhaps once a month or so.

Ive noticed more and more that just under 1000RPM, I get a chirping noise. Seems to be related to the loading on the PS system, however sitting parked in neutral, I can still get it.

Currently have a gatorback belt. I have a Gates that Ill install. I would also consider installing a new tensioner if anyone thinks that would help.

Any thoughts or suggestions? The belt looks good. Just seems that perhaps it slips a bit... But have fine PS and voltage on the alternator, and good cooling on the AC...

Thanks!

 

[simple_gifts]

I had a 1992 LeSabre that had a belt noise; Tried belt dressing, talc powder etc and it went on for months. I ended up just changing the belt, a 30 second job (even tho it didn't need it) and the noise went away. I believe it was just the combination that created the noise, not a failure or deficiency of any one component.

HTH

-thomas

 

[OilNerd]

Are all of your pulleys spinning true?

 

[Shannow]

If they aren't used that regularly, are the pulleys a bit rusty ?

 

[JHZR2]

Nothing looks out of alignment or rusty. The truck sits in a garage, so it doesnt get wet. Ill have a look again, especially if a pulley is crooked or so.

 

[JHZR2]

Changed from gatorback to a gates Micro-V AT belt, which was the gates offering from Rockauto.

Installed it and silence. No sign of any noice under any condition.

The gatorback looked like new though:

An issue with the gatorback is where it was made. Gates was made in USA, gatorback is:

 

[mechtech2]

You have to see if it is the belt squeaking, a pulley, or an accessory.
If it goes away with a little plain water spray, it's the belt.
Not that it's worn out and about to blow, but somehow the teeth and ribbed grooves are not right.

 

[JHZR2]

BTW, that gatorback is from 2003, IIRC.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
You have to see if it is the belt squeaking, a pulley, or an accessory.
If it goes away with a little plain water spray, it's the belt.
Not that it's worn out and about to blow, but somehow the teeth and ribbed grooves are not right.


Well the best way to see if it is the belt is to swap it, right?

Swapped it and no noise.

I detected a slight amount of play in the idler pulley that is up top front and center (maybe 2.5" diameter), but couldnt replicate play from it with the belt on. Had previuously used mechanic's stethescope on the part to see if noiuse was coming from it, and couldn't verify.

Assuming no noise comes back, is it safe to say it WAS the belt? How do I verify that it wasnt anything else?

Thanks!