PLATA Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) I replaced the belt tensioner on my Z, the original GM had too much play and the alternator was not happy. The replacement unit is made by Gates and it is making a high pitch noise , sounds like she has a supercharger ,kool sound but is this OK. The pitch noise is not a bearing/grinding type , is like a spool type noise, any info will be welcome. Edited May 20, 2015 by PLATA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Visually inspect it, have a spare in case it breaks, tell everybody you have a blower. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I'd suggest a manual tensioner and a factory belt. The spring loaded tensioners can chuck the belt, I hear this is particularly common if you rev it really high and then let off the throttle quickly. FWIW, my 5.3L truck engine has a very squeaky belt. Changed it several times, then read online to use a factory belt. The factory belt was a lot quieter for sure, a year later squeak was back though. Will probably put a manual tensioner on it at some point, haven't gotten there yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 The belt was also replaced, not a GM but an AutoZone variety, I will keep a close eye on both and secure spares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastTnZ Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I had a whistle type of sound on mine a while back and changed the water pump, tensioner and another pulley.... Swapped the belt and it fixed the noise... I was not amused lol but now I have a new serpentine setup haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mistafosta Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 I run gatorback belts generally, never had an issue of noise from them. Can you warranty out the tensioner to see if it goes away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torqen2k1 Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Probably the power steering pump....haha, while the engine is running, try to spray a tad bit of pb blaster or some sort on each bearing/pulley and see if it's goes away to pinpoint you in a direction. Darek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted May 23, 2015 Author Share Posted May 23, 2015 ^^^ My set up has no p/s, I will swap the belt for an ACDELCO, and see if that will do the fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socorob Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 My wifes suv had thIs problem and it ended up being the tensioner bearing. Napa will sell you just the bearing for a couple bucks if you have a way to press it out. Take the belt off and spin all the pulleys as hard as you can and see if any seems louder than the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted May 23, 2015 Author Share Posted May 23, 2015 (edited) I run gatorback belts generally, never had an issue of noise from them. Can you warranty out the tensioner to see if it goes away?..... The GM old tensioner went to the trash bin with the reciept of the Gates belt,good idea though . Edited May 23, 2015 by PLATA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeeboost Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 We've had issues in the past with aftermarket belts being just a hair longer than the OE length, causing that belt slip / speak noise. Use OEM parts. If you have different belt routing other than factory (you mention no ps) then the tensioner might not be compressed enough to adequately do its job with the belt you're using. Also check to make sure your water pump isn't seeping anything onto the belt from the weep hole underneath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted May 24, 2015 Author Share Posted May 24, 2015 ^^^ On my set-up the spot for the P/S is occupied by the A/C compressor, the noise started with the replacement of the tensioner and belt, prior to that no noise on display. As mention earlier I will do the OE belt(having a spare is a good practice) and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 Well the noise has vanished, yesterday after the ritual coffee and gas meet I did the customary spirited drive and now all is good, guess that the belt is seating were it should or the tensioner lost its virginity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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