I am working to solve all squeaks and chirps coming from my engine, instead of hijacking other threads I wanted to do a quick write up with some tips for others since these issues come up more often in the colder weather. This isn't for replacing and fixing, just safely diagnosing.
I have a 2002 Cruiser with 199k miles. In my case I have a chirp chirp chirp that happens when warming up and goes away once warm.
While diagnosing belt chirps and squeaks the first step is going to be to remove the belt. Don't spray it with WD-40, don't stick a long extension onto a pulley and hold it to your ear, oh and don't rub a bar of soap on it ( saw all of these previously suggested on other threads )
Use a breaker bar with a 14mm socket and grab onto the tensioner pulley bolt with the bar positioned as far left as you can go. The wrench can fit between the airbox and coolant res so no need to remove while diagnosing.
** Remember it's a left hand thread so turn counter-clockwise to release pressure from belt, and slip belt off pulley. Slowly and carefully let the pressure off the tensioner.
OK the belts off, You should inspect the belt for any signs of distress, cracks, grease, etc. How about that tensioner? Does it feel like it still has tension when working it to its end limits? Put your breaker bar back on it and work it, it should have a fair amount of resistance. Check around the outside of the tensioner, in my case the sleeve between the pulley and tensioner failed and I could see little bits of metal everywhere.
Next move to the most likely culprits. We have two idler pulleys, spin them both and check for proper feel. They should turn smoothly, they shouldn't free spin, and no grindy, scratchy, or notchy feeling. In my case both idlers would free spin for a while and once removed you could feel the scratchy/grindy feel.
Fan clutch holding up? Grab and check the fan clutch for any wobbles and give her a spin. When cold it shouldn't free spin, maybe 1/4 - 1/2 a turn when spinning from the blade tip.
With the belt off you should also start the motor and see if the noise continues. If the noise continues this can be diagnosed to an issue with timing belt components.
OK so that is about as far as my experience takes me, hope that helps someone.
I have a 2002 Cruiser with 199k miles. In my case I have a chirp chirp chirp that happens when warming up and goes away once warm.
While diagnosing belt chirps and squeaks the first step is going to be to remove the belt. Don't spray it with WD-40, don't stick a long extension onto a pulley and hold it to your ear, oh and don't rub a bar of soap on it ( saw all of these previously suggested on other threads )
Use a breaker bar with a 14mm socket and grab onto the tensioner pulley bolt with the bar positioned as far left as you can go. The wrench can fit between the airbox and coolant res so no need to remove while diagnosing.
** Remember it's a left hand thread so turn counter-clockwise to release pressure from belt, and slip belt off pulley. Slowly and carefully let the pressure off the tensioner.
OK the belts off, You should inspect the belt for any signs of distress, cracks, grease, etc. How about that tensioner? Does it feel like it still has tension when working it to its end limits? Put your breaker bar back on it and work it, it should have a fair amount of resistance. Check around the outside of the tensioner, in my case the sleeve between the pulley and tensioner failed and I could see little bits of metal everywhere.
Next move to the most likely culprits. We have two idler pulleys, spin them both and check for proper feel. They should turn smoothly, they shouldn't free spin, and no grindy, scratchy, or notchy feeling. In my case both idlers would free spin for a while and once removed you could feel the scratchy/grindy feel.
Fan clutch holding up? Grab and check the fan clutch for any wobbles and give her a spin. When cold it shouldn't free spin, maybe 1/4 - 1/2 a turn when spinning from the blade tip.
With the belt off you should also start the motor and see if the noise continues. If the noise continues this can be diagnosed to an issue with timing belt components.
OK so that is about as far as my experience takes me, hope that helps someone.
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