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Puddles=Insane Belt Squeal

nik12937

nik12937

New member
Does anyone else here have this problem? On my 05 anytime I drive through a puddle that presumably gets water on the serpentine belt, it will make the LOUDEST, most ungodly squeal/chirping when I stop (which I also assume correlates with whatever RPM's are at when idling in gear, is it 600 RPM?).

The belt itself is less than a year old, no signs of cracks or any deterioration. The tensioner seems to be ok since the little tick marking on the side is positioned right about where it should be in relation to the other three marks. Is it possible that the tensioner is getting loose in spite of that? The belt will also chirp on WOT gear changes every time. The tensioner is the original factory tensioner, and I'm at right about 103,000 miles on the odometer.

The main reason this bothers me isn't really the noise since the belt drys off pretty quickly. It's the possibility that I have belt slippage that bothers me as I've got a DC Power HO alternator, and I can't afford it not being driven quickly enough to support two batteries and many other electronics.
 


It was the more expensive of two brands of belts that Advance Auto caries, but I wouldn't doubt they carry crap belts. Quite a few things they carry I've learned suck, like their o2 sockets that flex like crazy. I guess I may as well try a different one. They really aren't that expensive.

Anyone else want to throw out some good brands for serpentine belts? As of right now I may just have NAPA deliver a belt while I'm in the shop at school on friday. It has the plus of letting me avoid reinstalling the dashboard of a VW Passat, I hate those cars.
 
I have heard quite a few people mention Gatorback on here now that I think of it. Is this the correct length? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/gtr-4060670/overview/make/pontiac/model/grand-prix/year/2005

I may as well try one since belts are much cheaper than tensioners, and I think it must be either one at this point. As some extra info, I replaced the water pump about a year and a half ago, so it shouldn't be that either.

Damn I'm up late, maybe I'll bump this tomorrow evening if need be. I'd like some more opinions since I've just ignored this problem for the past few years while dealing with things like LIM gaskets and tranny solenoids, and it's finally time to fix all the little issues.
 


my first thought is that maybe your splash shield behind the tire might be missing or broken. I removed my splash shield when changing the crank postion sensor and did not put it back on. since then I have the same problem when I drive in water.
 
My 04 dose it when I drive through big puddles. I figure its because its wet and its rubber on jot metal surfaces. I try and avoid big ass puddles if possible but I live in seattle wa so its hard.
 
the lower spash shield should be in place for sure, if you "mod" it for easier filter access dont cut too much away.

also keep in mind that belts pick up particles of glass/debris that get wedged into the grooves, clean em out with a pick... regularly

id change that tensioner, the plastic sleeve bushing inside the tensioner is likely worn out and its contributing to a belt tracking problem. look at the tension/travel reference markers at the pivot seam.

if its near the slack point the belt is stretched and the tensioner isnt able to keep it tight enough.

regards, James
 
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