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2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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clearhorizon
New User
Apr 23, 2014, 9:49 AM
Post #1 of 7
(1792 views)
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2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Here are the specs guys:
2000
Pontiac
Sunfire GT
2.4
130k
Alright guys, this issue is going to make me tear my hair out! I work out of my car all summer long and my pops and I have been trying to get this fixed for the past 2 weeks.
At first I simply repaired my Idler pulley. A bearing had failed and it would make an annoying squeal whenever i wasn't applying throttle.
After we swapped out the pulley, the idle noise was gone. I took it for a test spin and the belt would start to squeal when i got to a stoplight and would continue for a random amount of time (usually not again until the vehicle was turned off and on).
My dad replaced the belt and the problem seemed to be gone again, but the 2nd time i drove my car it came back.
At this point I said screw it, and we replaced the entire tensioner which included another pulley. (New belt/tensioner/pulley) and still it squeals. At this point it makes noise on start up (sometimes, other times its quiet) and when the AC is on and i slow to a stoplight or something where the engine is idle. The noise will squeal until i either turn the AC OFF, Or accelerate for a second or so.
I sprayed the entire engine off very well to ensure we hadn't gotten any coolant or any other liquid on the belt or pulley to cause it to make noise.
So at this point I am stumped, and aside from taking it to a mechanic to get charged out the butt for probably doing most the work already, I don't know what to do.
I leave for the summer in 10 days, and will be driving about 12k miles in 4 months. I really don't want to deal with this all summer and would greatly appreciate any ideas or feedback. Thanks in advance!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 23, 2014, 10:45 AM
Post #2 of 7
(1784 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Did you check to see if the harmonic balancer was shifting?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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clearhorizon
New User
Apr 23, 2014, 12:51 PM
Post #3 of 7
(1776 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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I am not sure what that is or what it does. How do I check this?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 24, 2014, 3:41 AM
Post #4 of 7
(1762 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Lowest pulley in the system. Just watch that it's in perfect plane with all other items on the belt system.
BTW - some belts just stink and are the problem but you have to rule out any real mechanical problem for sure.
Washing the belt IMO is a no-no. Perhaps a clean water rinse NO SOAPS and NO products called and sold as "belt dressing" none have done anything ever except quickly making more noise but perhaps can make a loose belt grab just enough to get the vehicle to where you can fix that.
Not sure who sells the brand to NAPA but have never had a noisy belt from them so far. Gates and Dayco have been good brands so far also. Others are hit or miss?
T
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clearhorizon
New User
Apr 25, 2014, 10:53 AM
Post #5 of 7
(1737 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Tom, I have had 3 belts on there (the original and 2 new belts) both new belts I have bought from AutoZone. not NAPA, but I have a hard time believing it is the belt when all 3 are making the same noise. So just to reiterate, It only squeals on startup and when the AC is on and the car is idle or at a low RPM. I will see to make sure the belt is in "perfect plane" and if not how do I go about adjusting? Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 25, 2014, 11:20 AM
Post #6 of 7
(1734 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Absolutely check that lower damper which is a pulley and also called a "harmonic balancer" which can slide out and be a disaster.
This squealing with a load like just at start up or with A/C may be stressing tension of the belt as alternator and A/C are high draw items, alternator is quickly recharging what it took to start it up.
Your new tensioner may not be snug enough or belt out of range already new or not. I avoid belts from the place you mentioned that wasn't NAPA.
Can you check belt tension if only by hand or put the tool in the tensioner and see if you can move it both ways without taking it off and again with it off to spin other items in the system for anything wrong?
Stinks but worry about even new parts being right even a couple or more in a row change brand if suspect. Not way too common but have found whole product lines wrong or a bad batch.
I'll get yelled at again but common WD-40 will make most belts shut up for a while right in front of you. That wont last but if that instantly makes a noise go away it's telling.
If hard to check belt tension and alternator has cooling fins they shouldn't spin over the belt, engine off by hand or something is too loose and a shiny belt on shiny pulleys at age is obnoxious sometimes if just that,
T
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clearhorizon
New User
Apr 25, 2014, 11:23 AM
Post #7 of 7
(1730 views)
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Re: 2000 sunfireGT belt noise.
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Thanks tom, I will try everything you mentioned and get back to you within the next few days with hopefully some good news. Take care.
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