Serpentine belt rub and pulley squeal

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
I replaced an idler pulley today because it sounded like it was squealing. It would squeal really bad at startup and then go away when the engine got warm. It was also worse on days where there was a lot of moisture in the air (fog) or it was raining. When I got it off I spun it on my finger and it was free spinning with no noise so I'm not sure it was really the problem. Also the new idler is plastic. Any opposition to that?

I replaced the top idler and noticed that it looked like the belt had rubbed the block, enough to scuff/burn a sticker. It's on the driver's side on the "down stroke" from the altenator to the other pulley down there. What would cause it to do that?

I think I changed the belt when it had about 35k and now just rolled over 100k. I'm thinking of changing the tensioner and