Moaning Yuko - Belt Tensioner?

[yargnits]

The Yukon isn't my daily driver during the summer so I haven't been in a hurry to fix this. It's been intermittently moaning under the hood. I've finally been able to get a video (with surprisingly good audio) before it went all shy on me.

My thought is that it's the tensioner. I've got a week or so before I throw down some money, so I thought I'd get a few other opinions.

It's a 2004 with a 5.3L and over 180k on the dial.

Here's the YouTube link:

 

[corvette744]

Take along screwdriver and touch each component bring it to your ear-you will find out which one it is real quick be careful.

 

[Sasquatch]

I would pull the belt off and spin every pulley and wiggle them to find which one is bad. Don`t forget about the A/C tensioner pulley, Mine went bad and was making a hell of a noise.

 

[yargnits]

Take along screwdriver and touch each component bring it to your ear-you will find out which one it is real quick be careful.

I used my mechanic-stethoscope on it a couple of times. Most items didn't sound different as the moaning changed, but the main tensioner had a slightly different sound that corresponded with the moan; but I had to listen hard to hear it.

 

[yargnits]

I would pull the belt off and spin every pulley and wiggle them to find which one is bad. Don`t forget about the A/C tensioner pulley, Mine went bad and was making a hell of a noise.

This is a good idea... that I should have thought of. The sound wasn't at all related to the AC use so I never even looked at the AC tensioner. Very well could be the culprit.

 

[corvette744]

I used my mechanic-stethoscope on it a couple of times. Most items didn't sound different as the moaning changed, but the main tensioner had a slightly different sound that corresponded with the moan; but I had to listen hard to hear it.

That noise is so loud it would be very noticeable if you touched it with a stethoscope.Ac tension is prob right you didnt touch that one.I changed mine when i changed the belt they recommend to change them together.

 

[M1Gunner]

The Yukon isn't my daily driver during the summer so I haven't been in a hurry to fix this. It's been intermittently moaning under the hood. I've finally been able to get a video (with surprisingly good audio) before it went all shy on me.

My thought is that it's the tensioner. I've got a week or so before I throw down some money, so I thought I'd get a few other opinions.

It's a 2004 with a 5.3L and over 180k on the dial.

Here's the YouTube link:

Is that the original water pump?! With 180k, it can't be? Still has factory clamps, that's crazy. That could definitely be your culprit.

Any play with the fan?

lol though it could definitely be the grumpy wife!

 

[yargnits]

Is that the original water pump?! With 180k, it can't be? Still has factory clamps, that's crazy. That could definitely be your culprit.

Any play with the fan?

lol though it could definitely be the grumpy wife!

The first suspect was the water pump, but putting the stethoscope against it didn't cause me to think it's the noise maker.

I drove it to the hardware store a couple times Sunday and it didn't make any noise. A smart man would replace the AC tensioner before the snow flies...

 

[yargnits]

Since I'm here I thought I'd wrap this problem with a follow-up.

Indeed it was the AC belt tensioner.