Serpentine belt?

Tiny
JUANSPONTIAC
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
I just had my serpintine belt replaced about a month ago, then I noticed that in that area there was a chirping noise when I would accelerate, then it would chirp when in park, I took it to a shop and they replaced a wheel, it was fine for 2 days then back to chirping, I took it back and had a tensioner replaced, it was fine for a day, now back to chirping, what could it be?
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Saturday, October 31st, 2009 AT 1:23 PM

36 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Most likely the belt is contaminated with oil/coolant. They should always clean all the pulleys with brake clean before replacing the belt, and check for any oil/coolant contamination.

This guide will help you change the belt it shows the routing diagrams

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/pontiac/grand-am/1999

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Sunday, November 1st, 2009 AT 8:52 AM
Tiny
JUANSPONTIAC
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  • 6 POSTS
So do I just put up with the noise? Is it a problelm, will anything break if I dont get it fixed, does something need to be fixed?
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Sunday, November 1st, 2009 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Have the shop that did intitial repair fix it on their dime.

I certainly would not put up with it, have them clean pulleys, check for contamination, and replace belt.
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Monday, November 2nd, 2009 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
TOMR183
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 113,000 MILES
This car has 2 idlers and the one near the crank lost bearing and destroyed shaft
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
For what engine? I see a few of them
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOMR183
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its a 3400 engine, was able to clean it up and install new idler, thanks, fyi the shaft isn't replaceable.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ACJRD13
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 152,000 MILES
How do I replace the serpentine belt on my own
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Draw up a diagram. From there take a 3/8 ratchet and put on the square notch cut out of the tensioiner. Then turn it like your tighteing a bolt and keep tension as far as it will go then replace the belt. Release tension. Remove ratchet and verify belt is in v groove.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FUNNYF
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 150,000 MILES
Main bolt broke off. A pic. On replacing pully.W/ spring would be very helpfull. I know I got to drill out broken bolt first
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Idler pulley with spring?The idler pulley shouldn't have a spring. Are you talking about the belt tenisor?If so did the bolt break that holds the pulley on?
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Does it look like the one I posted?
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FUNNYF
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Yes, that looks like it. The main bolt that holds tenisor onto motor broke, not the bolt that just holds pully onto the spring tenisor. HOW DO I GET TO IT to get broken threaded thats broke off in block? Thank you!
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Your going to have to put a piece of wood on the jack and slide it under the oil pan. Then jack the jack up till the engine is resting on the jack. Then remove the upper engine mount then jack the engine up to get some more room to work. As long as the bolt wasnt cross threaded when it was put in it should just unscrew. Did the bolt break flush or bellow flush in the threaded hole?
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FUNNYF
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
The broken bolt was broke right where threads end so that tells me that threaded part is still in hole.I was able to stick a small screw driver in hole and it went in hole about an inch or so. Is there an easyer way to get to hole?
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FUNNYF
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 150,000 MILES
Is there a trick to this?
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
You can try to use a small 90 degree pick and see if you can unscrew the bolt. If that doesnt work you can try getting a right angle drill with a reverse drill bit and drill into and hopefully the drill bit bites and unscrews the bolt. Before you do any drilling make sure you center punch the bolt dead center in the middle of the bolt. If that doesnt work then your going to have drill a hole in the bolt and try using a easy out to remove the bolt. If it doesnt come out without using too much force on the esay out because if you break a easy out in that bolt you in real trouble. If the easy out doesnt work you will have to drill the bolt out little by little till the bolt unscrews.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Check on our homepage under the DIY section for directions. In general, you remove the belt and the tensioner is bolted on.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FUNNYF
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Thank you for your help
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TECH911
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
YEAH RIGHT! Ever worked on a 2.4 GA? "Remove the belt and tensioner is bolted on", that's a very general answer. Here's more details from a "non-expert" disconnect battery, remove drive belt, remove alternator, raise vehicle remove oil filter, remove idler assembly, unbolt a/c compressor and move aside, and finally you remove tensioner assembly. This is NOT a simple repair. Be certain your skills are up to the task before attempting.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Your welcome please let me know how you make out.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2020 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)

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