Torque on Pulleys? Squealing!

[d98gt]

The reason I ask is because im getting a squeal on my new tensioner pulley

I replaced the tensioner pulley and the car didn't squeal the first day, though it did come back. I figured maybe the idler pulley needed to be switched aswell so I bought another pulley and put it on as it was an easy install and I didn't have to remove the belt/tensioner to do so. The squeal was still there.

So I pulled the tensioner back off to examine the pulley and I noticed that the pulley had grease coming out of it. I assume I tightened the pulley itself to the tensioner too tight? Is this possible?

I put the newer pulley on the tensioner and bolted everything back up but the squeal is still there

The noise seems to be coming from the tensioner pulley, however it's new so I don't understand?

What the hell is causing this the squeal? Is it possible that I need a new tensioner? Suggestions please so I can get rid of this damn problem.

 

[mineralgraygt]

best thing to do is get a long screw driver or pry bar and put it on the bolt of the all the pulleys, and put your ear on the end of the pry bar and you will ear it in the screw driver or prybar. its mostlikely your idler pulley

 

[Shiroelex]

I used to work at Autozone, and we would get the Dayco tensioners back all the time, because they would be squealing right out of the box. One guy brought one back that seized up completely 5 minutes after install. Just a heads up, if it was a Dayco tensioner. I'd also check some other pulleys, and give your belt a shot of dressing, to see if it's making any noise too. It might just be the belt making noise from contacting the new pulley.

 

[d98gt]

I didn't buy a new tensioner, I just replaced the pulley. I guess I tightened the bolt to the pulley too much because the grease was leaking out of it when I took it back off (was on for 2 days)

I'm pretty certain that the noise is from the tensioner, however I have a new pulley on there so I don't know why it would be doing it? Is it possible that I have tightened it too much?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

No, I do not think you can seize the bearings by overtightening like a wheel bearing.

Take the belt off and see if the idlers spin free.

I am kinda leaning towards this being the a/c compressor...

 

[d98gt]

Yeah, I'll get around to pulling the belt off and seeing if the squeal goes away a little later (noon or so). I hadn't really thought about that since I just got frustrated and gave up on it for the time being. Hopefully that will give me a better idea.

 

[d98gt]

Just went out and noticed what the problem is. Now how to fix is where you come in

On the tensioner pulley, the belt isn't setting right on it. It's setting more towards the engine which is causing it to squeal. When it's cranked and I push the tensioner pulley inwards, the car will stop squealing.

If needed, i'll take pictures of that doesn't make any sense?

 

[CobraRed_96_GT]

Im having the same prob, just less severe, let me know if you fix it

 

[d98gt]

I'm going to fix it today hopefully.

It just seems that my tensioner isn't setting where it's supposed to. If I push on the area where the pulley goes on (where you hook the 1/2" or 3/8" drive) the squeal will go away as the belt fully gets on the pulley.

 

[d98gt]

Pictures don't really show what im talking about but here they are anyway. View attachment 446350 squeals



View attachment 446352 doesn't.

I'm hoping to fix this today/tonight as its annoying as hell and the car isn't drivable with it. Anyone want to do a favor? I'd like to see how this bolt is on others. I know mine isn't right, but I don't recall how it was originally. I had the spare nut so I put it on
View attachment 446354

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I just went out in the garage and took these, hope they help you out...

View attachment 446344

View attachment 446346

View attachment 446348

 

[d98gt]

We have a different tensioner set-up, though thanks for the attempt. Seriously

I had the idler pulley off in the pictures that I posted

 

[DTNODYA]

My belt sits far back towards the engine also on that pulley ... my recently purchased pulley (like 2 months ago) is squealing again too! I wonder why our belts are far back like that?? ... I'll see if I have a picture.

Well, I don't have a picture of the pulley itself, just the engine ... but I tried to crop and blow up a pic of the pulley .. forgive the ****ty quality. It's a pic from when I changed out my intake ... You can see the grease that it was throwing out ... :

 

[d98gt]

Yeah, if you look at the pics that I posted you'll notice a darkened area on the block aswell. I put the busted pulley on the idler as it's easier to remove so I can exchange it in the parking lot.

I guess I need to unbolt the tensioner again and see if I can get it to set in there better so the pulley will be positioned right I'll tamper with it tomorrow.

 

[d98gt]

I'm going to go buy a new tensioner in the morning. I have to goto class tomorrow so hopefully this will fix the problem.

$50 I do believe for the part.

 

[Pennywise2]

Alot of the 96-98 GT's have this problem but,it is not that big of
a deal really.If it is not a bad tensioner that just needs replacing
it very well could be your crankshaft bearings right behind your
crankshaft seal.When I first got my 96 it made the same squeal
noise you are talking about.I replace replaced the crankshaft seal
and bearings and the noise went away.Good luck I hope you find
the fix.

 

[d98gt]

Well I do feel that it'll be fixed in the morning. When I pushed the tensioner inwards, the squeal would stop.

Hopefully in a few hours, I can once again drive the car and somewhat enjoy it.

 

[Mike97gt]

Kepp us posted.. I am 99 percent sure the tensioner will take care of it. If it does not can you see if the belt is hitting the timing cover, I have seen that before but mostly on 4v 4.6's

 

[d98gt]

Car is fixed.

Of course I was going to keep you guys posted. I can't stand when someone brings up a problem then doesn't share what fixed it.

Went to the local autozone and bought a new tensioner which came out to be $52.99. It came with a 1-year warranty aswell.

It came with a new pulley which is also good since one of the new ones that I bought (I bought 2... 1 for the tensioner, 1 for the idler) has problems as the grease was seeping out. So I got to put the "good" pulley on the idler

Squeal is gone finally

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[DTNODYA]

So the tensioner fixed it? Maybe that's what I need also ... Is there any noticible visible difference (like is the belt still close to the block on the idler pulley)??