2000 GMC Sonoma Belt squealing

Tiny
TMONEY145
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 GMC SONOMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Ok ive read the other questions mine is some what similar. I recently put a new serpentine belt on my truck to replace the one that was cracking. After replacing everything was fine. Couple of days later the belt started squealing. It's cold out so I let the truck warm up. At first nothing, sounds great, but then after it has ran a couple minutes the squealing starts. Now the thing that blows my mind is, normally when a belt gets wets it squeals, mine actually stops for a few seconds if I get it wet. Of course it starts again. Also noticed that some of the rubber of the belt was deposited onto the idle pulley. Not sure if that has anything to do with anything, but figured I would add that in.
Friday, January 30th, 2009 AT 7:26 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok I would warranty out the belt and clean all the pulleys that have rubber on them as that will cause a noise more like a chirp but it can be a mild squeel noise.
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
TMONEY145
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I'll let you know what I find. Thanks for your advice.
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Saturday, January 31st, 2009 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
No problem when you find out something let me know. Make sure to listen to the A/C pump and such just to rule those out.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
TMONEY145
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  • 7 POSTS
Well I warrantied out the belt, installed a new tensioner, since I was in there anyway. Ran the truck for 10 min. Everything was fine. However the next day. Start up the truck and everything is fine. Back out of drive onto street. Upon take off I here a sort of knocking or tapping sound. Goes away after couple seconds after accelerating, but every time I stop then accelerate it starts again. Got home, opened hood and while idling there is a knock or tap sound. Plus a little chirp again. I cannot tell where the knock is comming from, but the only place I can feel it is by putting my hand on the ac pump. It doesn't feel like it is comming directly from the pump, but that is the only place I can get my hand in with it running. Not sure if it is comming from the block or not. It is not a constant knock, it is on a few seconds then goes away then back a few seconds later. If I rev the truck while it is knocking the knock does speed up. I don't know if this has anything to do with what I have been dealing with, but never has happened before until replacing tensioner, and belt again. This is giving me a headache.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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Get a long screw driver or automotive stethescope and use it to listen to the a/c and the tensioner and the engine and pin it down as to where it is coming from it could be the balance shaft chain in the engine. Not saying it is but could be if your block has one the 4.3 ltr comes as a W or Z code one has this shaft one don't.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
TMONEY145
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  • 7 POSTS
Well I think I eliminated any issues with it being the engine. I removed the belt just long enough to give the knock a chance to return and it was fine. No knock at all so it is deffinately something belt driven. I'll try the screwdriver to check tensioner and ac.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 2:34 PM
Tiny
TMONEY145
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Checked using long screw driver and it is deffinately the new tensioner causing the knock. I could feel it through the screw driver pretty clearly right on with the knock. Should the tensioner have any give in it at all as the truck is running or should it be solid. This one had some sharp jumpy play in it. Don't know if it is defective or if I should expect it from the next one I grab at Auto Zone. Should I also have them give me a new belt? Seeing as how the one on there was new and may be damaged. Thanks again. You have been great help and lifted a huge weight off.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
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I would warranty it out as it should have movement but it should be smooth movement not jumpy like.
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Monday, February 2nd, 2009 AT 3:37 PM

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