2011 Tahoe Chirping Noise Engine Area

[GreaseMonkey]

My wife and I purchased a 2011 Tahoe back in April with about 7,000 miles on it. Over the past few months, there is an intermittent chirping noise on start-up that will last about 30 seconds and go away. Usually seems to occur on a cold start, but not every time.

A similar noise also occurs in high gear high load situations. For example, cruising at 35 MPH if you ease into the throttle enough without the transmission downshifting, a muffled chirping noise is heard from the engine bay area. It sounds very similar to an HVAC blower motor going bad or loose belt tensioner. If you brake torque the truck and get the RPMs up around 1500-1700 the noise can be heard as well. It's faint but definitely noticeable.

I've had it to two different dealers. One couldn't confirm the noise even though I've had two techs ride along who both heard it, and the other that confirmed the noise but said it is normal. They had another 2011 Tahoe on the lot and supposedly heard the noise in that one as well. One dealer put a new belt on it, which didn't change the noise at all, and then replaced the alternator which also didn't improve the noise.

It has gotten worse over the past couple weeks, and I'm still stumped. I'm curious if anyone else has had this issue and what was replaced to fix it.

 

[GM Customer Service]

GreaseMonkey,
If you would like to send me your contact information (name, address, email address, phone number) along with your VIN number, mileage and the name of your local dealer I would like to look into this for you.
Breanne
Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[dt24]

Actually just fixed this issue which my 07 Tahoe. The chirping would begin on start up and slowly fade away after the truck warmed up. The chirping got progressively louder and took longer to go away. Eventually it got to the point where the squeal never went away even when the car was fully warmed up. It would squeal extremely loud, especially when I accelerated. About a week ago, I took the car to the dealer and they quoted me around $300 to diagnose and fix the problem. Went to my local guy and he changed both belts under the hood for half that price. No more squeal.

 

[edgaranah1]

I wouldn't think that a truck a year old will have this problem. Take it to the dealer it still has warranty. If it only does it on cold starts let it sit for a while then have someone check it out.

Sent from my BlackBerry 8530 using Tapatalk

 

[GreaseMonkey]

GreaseMonkey,
If you would like to send me your contact information (name, address, email address, phone number) along with your VIN number, mileage and the name of your local dealer I would like to look into this for you.
Breanne
Chevrolet Customer Service

Breanne,

Do you have an e-mail I can send the info to? I am not able to PM until I have at least 10 posts.

 

[b4z]

Known problem with the ls motors. Either a belt or a belt tensioner.

 

[Sierkonblazer]

Does it happen with your A/C on or off or both? Try squirting some WD-40 theon belt when it squeaks. If it doesnt go away then, its not the belt...

 

[GreaseMonkey]

So after dealing with the noise for a few months, I went back to the dealer to hopefully get this resolved. They replaced the belt tensioner, which didn't help.



The next step was to get involved with the brand quality manager at GM. I decided to do some investigating myself. I took the belt off, started the engine up and the noise is gone. I played around with some of the pulleys, and the power steering pump pulley squeaks. I put the belt back on, started the truck up and the noise was back.



I then decided to pull up warranty data on the GMT900 platform to see if any power steering pump pulleys have been replaced and what the customer concern was. A handful over the past few months have been replaced due to a chirping/squeaking sound.



I brought it to the dealer this morning and the service manager had no problem getting a pump and pulley in to install. It should be done later today or tomorrow, and I really hope this takes care of the issue.

 

[GM Customer Service]

GreaseMonkey,

I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this issue. Please keep us posted of the results of your dealer visit.

If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Louis
GM Customer Service

 

[jz57]

Since your truck had multiple belt replacements in the past, so, the belt quality is NOT a problem. Nowadays, a serpentine belt can last over 100K miles without replacement.

Your belt chirping noise is due to belt alignment. Check one of the pulleys: tensioner, idler or crank pulley. Alternator or P/S pump pulley could be out of alignment due its shaft being bended.

Do a following test, use a Windex bottle, fill it with water. Spray water to the belt, if the belt chirping noise goes away, “You’ve got mis-alignment”!

To figure which pulley causes noise, you may need a laser light beam aiming all pulleys or replace pulley one by one until noise going away.

Check Gate Rubber Co’s web site, there is a Tech-Tip teaching you step-by-step diagnosing belt noise.

So after dealing with the noise for a few months, I went back to the dealer to hopefully get this resolved. They replaced the belt tensioner, which didn't help.


........ I took the belt off, started the engine up and the noise is gone. I played around with some of the pulleys, and the power steering pump pulley squeaks. I put the belt back on, started the truck up and the noise was back.

...........

I brought it to the dealer this morning and the service manager had no problem getting a pump and pulley in to install. It should be done later today or tomorrow, and I really hope this takes care of the issue.