2002 Chevy Trailblazer chirping noises coming from the belt

LEVERONESTX

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 MILES

When I start my vehicle it idles rough, once I get going in drive it is a very rough ride and I can hear chirping noises coming from the engine. It is the loudest when I go from 1st to 2nd and then from 2nd to 3rd is not as loud, but is continuous while I drive. I opened up the hood and looked at the fan and it was shaking and I could see the belt moving back and forth. My question is How do I tighten the fan assembly so that it does not shake and how do I stop the belt from sliding back and forth, it looks like it's going to slip off. I was told it could be the water pump bearing going out, but I'm not sure that is the problem. The problem has gotten worse in the last 3 days, I'm afraid to drive it, for fear the belt will slip off and I'll be stuck somewhere.

Friday, July 3rd, 2009 AT 2:39 PM

1 Reply

BUDDYCRAIGG

MECHANIC
2,262 POSTS

We'll address the rough idle later.

Let's get to the bigger problem.
Yes, it does sound like the water pump bearings are going out.

Not only do you have a chance of the belt slipping off and leaving you stranded, but you have a higher chance of the pump completely failing and dumping all of the coolant out.

You can take your belt off, now without the belt pressure on the waterpump pulley, see if you can move the fan, and is the pivot point about where it goes into the pump?

You will probably find that is where the problem is, and you will need to get a new (or remaned) pump.

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Friday, July 3rd, 2009 AT 7:21 PM