What's this belt squeal?

[bloc]

Note to anyone changing the tensioner: the retaining bolt is a 6mm Allen and the head tends to get packed with dirt. Clean that out well before attempting to loosen.. if you don’t get full engagement it is easy to strip the head.

 

[BeauDuke]

Just came across this thread! I’m 400 miles into a trip up the east coast and mine started squealing about 50 miles ago from the tensioner. How big of a problem is this if I don’t address it right away and drive another 600 miles on it before fixing? Are we talking just annoying, or a potential catastrophic failure? Thanks.

 

[RandyCSVT]

Just came across this thread! I’m 400 miles into a trip up the east coast and mine started squealing about 50 miles ago from the tensioner. How big of a problem is this if I don’t address it right away and drive another 600 miles on it before fixing? Are we talking just annoying, or a potential catastrophic failure? Thanks.

A few years ago I developed a squeak from my tensioner or an idler pulley, can’t recall which. Didn’t feel like working on it myself so I took it to my local pep boys and they checked it, added some grease and said come back if it squeaks again and we’ll change it. It never squeaked again and that was at least a few years ago and many tens of thousands of miles. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

 

[BeauDuke]

A few years ago I developed a squeak from my tensioner or an idler pulley, can’t recall which. Didn’t feel like working on it myself so I took it to my local pep boys and they checked it, added some grease and said come back if it squeaks again and we’ll change it. It never squeaked again and that was at least a few years ago and many tens of thousands of miles. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

Ha! Fair enough. I’ll give things a thorough check this morning before I hit the road again. Thanks for the peace of mind anecdote.

 

[trapperbay]

My tensioner pulley made noise for about a year before I had it addressed. It would come and go with different weather (humidity) changes. Shouldn't be an issue for your trip. Keep an ear out on the sound for dramatic changes.

 

[BeauDuke]

My tensioner pulley made noise for about a year before I had it addressed. It would come and go with different weather (humidity) changes. Shouldn't be an issue for your trip. Keep an ear out on the sound for dramatic changes.

Interesting. Mine never made the sound before. Noticed it at the end of the day. It has somehow remedied itself and I haven’t heard it since. Belts and everything look good, no cracking or glazing. I’ll passively pay attention to it and address it if it gets worse or more frequent.

 

[sfo1]

A few years ago I developed a squeak from my tensioner or an idler pulley, can’t recall which. Didn’t feel like working on it myself so I took it to my local pep boys and they checked it, added some grease and said come back if it squeaks again and we’ll change it. It never squeaked again and that was at least a few years ago and many tens of thousands of miles. I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

where specifically did they add the grease?

I had the same squeal and my mech said the belt and tensioner was fine, but in my climate with wind and sand the pulley groove gets sand and dirt trapped and it squeals until it’s cleaned. He cleaned it and it went quiet again. I recall I also noticed a difference in sound if the climate control was set to recirc or fresh air.