Chirp, Chirp, Chirp.....:(

[lamerem]

I've owned the truck since new, and there haven't been any other repairs. This noise just started one day, not sure why. Can pulleys get out of alignment?

 

[kbuskill]

I've owned the truck since new, and there haven't been any other repairs. This noise just started one day, not sure why. Can pulleys get out of alignment?

They shouldn't unless the bearings are failing and letting the shaft walk.... but if that is the case then you obviously have bigger problems.

It was just a suggestion of something that is often overlooked. I was unaware that you were the one and only owner so I thought perhaps something may have been changed without your knowledge.

 

[swathdiver]

Get a long extension or breaker bar and use it as a stethescope while the motor is running and chirping. As a young man I was just learning the importance of fuel pressure when my engine started making a chirping sound, melted two pistons! The next time I done did it deliberate, no way was I going to lose a race to some poser in his RX-7, we both kept turning up the boost until his exploded and mine melted only one piston this time. I drove that baby home 60 miles and had a new piston installed after work the next night.

 

[iamdub]

James said it- get or "make" a stethoscope. I bought a cheap mechanic's stethoscope from Harbor Freight years ago and it has saved me tons of frustration. You can remove the belt and spin pulleys all day, but it's very difficult to replicate the lateral load the belt places on those accessory's bearings, which may be the source of the noise.

 

[kbuskill]

Kinda off topic, but not to far... I learned something today. I was unaware that the newer trucks don't have a tensioner on the AC belt... my 08 does but I guess they changed up sometime later.

 

[lamerem]

Well I think I made some headway in the area of diagnoses. I ran the truck and put a little water on the main belt, chirp noise went away. So that tells me the belt is glazed, or out of align. Interestingly enough it was cold out and I had the defrost on, as soon as water hit the AC belt it was slipping like a deer on ice. So on the to do list, new AC belt, new main belt, and possible a tensioner for good measure.

I am looking at the Continental Elite (GatorBack) belts, any opinions?

 

[iamdub]

Kinda off topic, but not to far... I learned something today. I was unaware that the newer trucks don't have a tensioner on the AC belt... my 08 does but I guess they changed up sometime later.

I think '09+. My '13 Express work van shredded the A/C belt when a pebble lodged itself in a groove on the pulley. I had the passenger side of the van up on a curb in an Autozone parking lot and was trying to wedge it on with screwdrivers. It wasn't gonna happen. I drove the 4 hours home in 90+ degree heat with the windows down (loud as fcuk in that van!). I had a shop slip it on in 10 minutes the next day with the required special tool.

At the time, I still had an accessory drive bracket from a Gen3 (tensioner A/C setup) in my garage and I swore I was gonna swap it on my Tahoe that weekend if it had the rubber band belt setup.

 

[iamdub]

Well I think I made some headway in the area of diagnoses. I ran the truck and put a little water on the main belt, chirp noise went away. So that tells me the belt is glazed, or out of align. Interestingly enough it was cold out and I had the defrost on, as soon as water hit the AC belt it was slipping like a deer on ice. So on the to do list, new AC belt, new main belt, and possible a tensioner for good measure.

I am looking at the Continental Elite (GatorBack) belts, any opinions?

Can't go wrong with that one. I recently replaced both of my belts and used Gates K040378 and K060935.

 

[Doubeleive]

Kinda off topic, but not to far... I learned something today. I was unaware that the newer trucks don't have a tensioner on the AC belt... my 08 does but I guess they changed up sometime later.

I thought all of the 07-14 had no tensioner?, maybe if yours starts squeaking you can delete it and just use the new belt?
the one on my 2000 squeaked when it was cold out and my 03 Silverado does now also.

 

[kbuskill]

I thought all of the 07-14 had no tensioner?, maybe if yours starts squeaking you can delete it and just use the new belt?
the one on my 2000 squeaked when it was cold out and my 03 Silverado does now also.

Nope... my '08 Suburban LTZ has a tensioner on the A/C belt and I certainly plan to keep it that way. Seems idiotic to swap to a different style belt that requires "special" tools when there was nothing wrong with the old style.