FAQ: Chirp Chirp Chirp - Belt Squeal, Pulley & Tensioner Squeak

stydel311 wrote:

It doesn't look like the groves on the belt are as deep as the acc. belt and I noticed that the smooth side isn't smooth rubber, its like a hard textured feel and its slighty white-ish looking.  Maybe the belt really is shot?

It's definitely the S/C belt. Spray a little water on it and the noise goes away.....

It's possible (in your case) that the belt is just bad. I put a new belt and tensioner on at the same time. The chirp went away for about a week, then it came right back. I wonder if the Balancer is starting to get out of alignment? I haven't gone that far as to check that yet, but one would only assume that something must be out of alignment for the squeak to come back.

Mine chirp is only at idle too. Once I pull it off idle, it immediately goes away.

Abaddon wrote:

stydel311 wrote:

It doesn't look like the groves on the belt are as deep as the acc. belt and I noticed that the smooth side isn't smooth rubber, its like a hard textured feel and its slighty white-ish looking.  Maybe the belt really is shot?

It's definitely the S/C belt. Spray a little water on it and the noise goes away.....

It's possible (in your case) that the belt is just bad. I put a new belt and tensioner on at the same time. The chirp went away for about a week, then it came right back. I wonder if the Balancer is starting to get out of alignment? I haven't gone that far as to check that yet, but one would only assume that something must be out of alignment for the squeak to come back.

Mine chirp is only at idle too. Once I pull it off idle, it immediately goes away.

I will pop the belt off and have another look at the pulleys, specifically the tensioner pulley just because I think it looks like the belt moves out to go around it. My chirp is all the time, same volume no matter what, just different rate based on engine rpm. The belt would be an easy fix but just don't want it to come back lol

Here's the write-up you'll need for replacing the belt: https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t725-write-up-replacing-belts-and-pulleys

So played around with it again today. Pin pointed the squeal sound to the smooth tensioner pulley (so confused since it quits when you spray the ribs). I also found chunks of rubber stuck in the groves on the supercharger and on the plastic ribbed pulley so I cleaned them out. Went to the parts store and they agreed it was coming from the smooth tensioner pulley. We bought a new pulley and the parts guy was nice and told us to put the old one back on and he'll let us return it if it doesn't fix it. Put it on and it got about 10 times worse. When I was removing it I noticed that after cleaning all the smooth pulleys, there was random little dots of rubber smashed into the surface like the belt is leaving behind rubber. Also when I was looking over the belt I found little shreds of rubber in the groves here and there, could this be misalignment shredding it some? They said it was most likely the belt after I checked it with one of those orange stick things for checking groove depth. The little plastic stick went completely into the groove so there was no bump when rubbing my finger over it. I bought a gates belt but I'm going to have a shop put it on, I really don't want to have to do all the work with the motor mount

You don't have to do all that work with the motor mount and bracket assembly. It's still a little PITA to do, but that entire bracket certainly DOESN'T have to be removed.

When you take the passenger wheel off, look just by the Crank Sensor. There's a sleeve that attaches that bracket to the engine. It's an 18mm nut attached to an E8 bolt. You still have to take the center bolt out of that big mount and lower the engine, but you can remove that bolt and sleeve to get the belts out. You don't even have to unbolt the rest of it....

Abaddon wrote:

You don't have to do all that work with the motor mount and bracket assembly. It's still a little PITA to do, but that entire bracket certainly DOESN'T have to be removed.

When you take the passenger wheel off, look just by the Crank Sensor. There's a sleeve that attaches that bracket to the engine. It's an 18mm nut attached to an E8 bolt. You still have to take the center bolt out of that big mount and lower the engine, but you can remove that bolt and sleeve to get the belts out. You don't even have to unbolt the rest of it....

Maybe I will look into doing it myself. I don't have a heated garage so it will have to be done in the snow on my driveway. I'll let it go for now and keep an eye on the belt and I'll do it in the spring unless it gets bad.

Quote :

I got home and did some looking to find the belt is chirping right at the supercharger pulley. If I spray water on the ribs it goes away and comes and after about 5 seconds. So after doing some research I think its either the belt worn or the tensioner. If you look at the supercharger pulley from straight on in front of the car it seems like the belt moves out to get to the tensioner pulley, but I'm not sure why.

The result of the water test suggests it is a belt alignment issue, not a belt slip issue. Usually this means one of pulleys is misaligned, causing the belt to go off track. Your observation seems to confirm this, so changing the belt or tensioner probably won't fix (these would cause slip, which would get worse when you spray). You need to check for which pulley is causing the misalignment.

Did the previous owner swap the SC pulley for aftermarket, or is it OEM? OEM is 3.8" dia.

Hey all, after reading through this thread I just wanted to state a few of my issues. I have a '95 doing the same CHIRP CHIRP sound as described above. Also goes away for a while when I spray belt with silicone. As far as I can tell, it's coming from my super charger pulley which is the Eaton M62 keyed correct? This noise would be caused by a worn out bearing in the pulley?

I replaced the belts so right now it seems logical to do the pulley. Is there a direct replacement part #? (Don't want to go bigger/smaller etc. just want the exact same pulley). If not, any recommendations on an exact replacement?

Is there anyone who has a 95 who has removed the pulley with a regular pulley puller? Is this possible to do on the 95 with the supercharger on? Does the keyed configuration change up removal/install? I really would like to find a write-up or walk through video as I understand this is a sensitive area of the engine I don't want to foul up. Thanks!

- Drew

Drew, I wouldn't assume your snout bearing is bad because of a chirping belt. Although it may sound like it's coming from the SC pulley itself, usually chirping is from a misaligned pulley, whereas a bearing will make a growl or howling sound. Have you tried removing the belt from the SC pulley and turning it by hand? You can feel a bad bearing this way. Also, don't spray lubricants on belts. Use water to test for chirp.

Some info on SC pulley removal here:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t112-write-up-how-to-install-an-aftermarket-sc-pulley-series-i

Did the water test and it went away temporarily. I'm going to get the mechanics stethoscope on amazon like you suggested and pinpoint which pulley is out of line since I'm not 100% sure it's my SC pulley. Is it possible to bring a pulley back into alignment by tightening or other method? Or is is just easier to buy a brand new one? Are there bearings in the pulleys?

AA wrote:

Quote :

I got home and did some looking to find the belt is chirping right at the supercharger pulley. If I spray water on the ribs it goes away and comes and after about 5 seconds. So after doing some research I think its either the belt worn or the tensioner. If you look at the supercharger pulley from straight on in front of the car it seems like the belt moves out to get to the tensioner pulley, but I'm not sure why.

The result of the water test suggests it is a belt alignment issue, not a belt slip issue. Usually this means one of pulleys is misaligned, causing the belt to go off track. Your observation seems to confirm this, so changing the belt or tensioner probably won't fix (these would cause slip, which would get worse when you spray). You need to check for which pulley is causing the misalignment.

Did the previous owner swap the SC pulley for aftermarket, or is it OEM? OEM is 3.8" dia.

Supercharger pulley is factory. The belt moving out thing I noticed is nothing, another supercharged 3800 that doesn't chirp does the same thing. The guy I bought it from bought it from the original owner 7 years ago (they put 40,000 on it) and he said its done it in the cold every winter they've owned it even after he tried a new sc belt

Car has been running excellent and smooth. Starting today there is a sqeak coming from engine when engine is on.. not sure if its alt,belt,idler pulley,sc coupler etc.. It is a 97 Riviera with the 3.8 SC. Before i bring to mechanics I would love to know what is causing sqeak. I see a lot of folks have had to replace SC pulley. Last year before we owned it it had the alternator and water pump replaced . It now has around 170,500 miles. Love the car.. What is the recommended way to properly determine the origin of this new sudden sqeak. We live in NY and today it was 17 degrees,,Insanely cold..Happy New Year to all

slip off the belts and turn the pullies by hand - you'll find the squeak.

Sounds good.. Thanks for the help

After finding some spare time and doing further inspecting with my stethoscope, I have determined the chirping is coming from my misaligned power steering pump pulley. I can actually see it wobbling around. Does anyone know if I can just replace the pulley from the pump or do I have to go through and remove the entire pump housing? No fluid loss yet so I would love to just replace the pulley and be done with it.

Also, I couldn't find anything in the forum on replacing the pump in general despite some posts saying there was a write up on it in the long "Write-Up: Replacing Belts and Pulleys" thread. Anyone know of a write up or procedure for this?

Drew, this thread has been split and merged to our Power Steering FAQ thread. Please continue the discussion here:

https://rivperformance.editboard.com/t4631p90-faq-power-steering-pump-hoses-noise-problems#181631

Hask2112 wrote:

Sounds good.. Thanks for the help

BUMP - did you find it?

Question! I've been fighting a belt noise (chirp chirp, not sqqueeeeee) since soon after I put the engine in my car. It's on the main drive, not the s/c. I have done the water test, and it proves to be unreliable. The chirp will kind of go away, but then have a lower whine instead for a couple seconds, then chirp comes back. It is far worse when it is cold or damp. This morning it's awful. I'm embarrassed to drive my car to work. It's LOUD.

I noticed my tensioner pulley seems to stick out WAY further than the other pulleys. I laid a ruler across the PS pulley to tensioner, then alternator to tensioner, and the tensioner is definitely 1/8" or so out. I thought this wasn't a big deal since it's a smooth pulley, and the belt can just ride where it wants to, right? Can smooth pulleys be misaligned? There is no play at all, and it spins very freely. Do they make pulleys of the same diameter and arbor with a different offset?

Other thing I noticed is the PS pulley moves back and forth a very tiny bit, maybe a 1/16"th or so, but there is no "wobble". Could this be causing an issue?

ALSO, Since a different noise comes out when I spray water, I figured changing the belt might help. I bought one of those gatorback belts that claim to reduce/stop belt noise. Well, when I went to go take out that stud on the bottom of the motor mount, the star end of it busted off, so now I have nothing to grip to. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks for any help.

Re: the smooth idler, it can be proud, as long as the belt isn't hanging off or right on the inner edge. If so, it can wear a line in the belt, and will separate in short time.

If PS pulley is moving in and out, that could be the source of your chirp.

Make sure AC compressor is mounted tight!

Well, not sure if it was the PS pump or the new belt, but IT'S GONE! COMPLETELY GONE!

I swear if it comes back in a week I'm lighting the car on fire.

Dont light in of fire...just bring it here and I'll take it off your hands lol.

Alright Andrew, I'll let you know in a week or so if you're the proud new owner of another 1997 Buick Riviera or not! Haha

Sir Psycho Sexy wrote:

Well, not sure if it was the PS pump or the new belt, but IT'S GONE! COMPLETELY GONE!

I swear if it comes back in a week I'm lighting the car on fire.

I've tried all sorts of things. New belt made the chirp go away for about 2 weeks. So did the new Tensioner. Then it came back....get your lighter out
Then again, my chirp is from the S/C drive. Soon as the car warms up, it goes away.


Seriously though...I hope it's fixed.

Abaddon wrote:

Sir Psycho Sexy wrote:

Well, not sure if it was the PS pump or the new belt, but IT'S GONE! COMPLETELY GONE!

I swear if it comes back in a week I'm lighting the car on fire.

I've tried all sorts of things. New belt made the chirp go away for about 2 weeks. So did the new Tensioner. Then it came back....get your lighter out
Then again, my chirp is from the S/C drive. Soon as the car warms up, it goes away.


Seriously though...I hope it's fixed.

The only thing that makes me think this actually worked is other things I've tried have lessened the chirp, but this 100% got rid of it. Also, my PS pump was definitely sloppy, and the new one feels nice and tight.