Replaced belt tensioner on 2002 5.3, squeal got worse SOLVED

[JohnnyRosso]

I know I posted this before but,...
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It sure diagnosed the misaligned power steering pump pulley on mine.
And this is what I used to adjust the pulley...
View attachment 376682

I will look into the diagnostic kit, thank you!!

 

[JohnnyRosso]

Your squeal might not be the belt. It could be coming from a bearing in the a/c compressor, alternator, power steering pump or water pump.

I hand't thought of this.. you could be right, do you know any tricks for checking to see where the squeal is coming from?

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I hand't thought of this.. you could be right, do you know any tricks for checking to see where the squeal is coming from?

You can use a long screwdriver (or anything, really) as a stethoscope to start poking around a little.

It can get a little messy, but I have found many a squeak with a carefully aimed can of AeroKroil while it's running.

 

[Fless]

If it hasn't been done yet, remove both belts and run the engine for a short time to see if the belt/pulley system is causing the squeal. If it's no longer there, spin each pulley and idler by hand to check for smoothness and/or noise. If that all checks out, reinstall the A/C pulley and run the engine again. If there's still no squeal, reinstall the main belt and use a stethoscope device as @HiHoeSilver recommended.

 

[rockola1971]

When the water pump bearing is going out typically it will cause the mechanical seal to start dribbling coolant and you will see wet marks coming out of the weep hole of the water pump. Grab the fan clutch and rock it side to side, this will usually show the play in a water pump bearing. The rest of the belt driven accessories have to be ruled out with a stethescope or the one belt install at a time method that Fless mentioned.

 

[JohnnyRosso]

Ok, so yesterday I took my belt off to check for loose pulleys again, and to try and run it briefly to see if the squeal was still there without the belt. The squeal was gone and I felt a wee bit of play in the power steering pump pulley. So, I out the belt back on and figured I would replace that pulley when I got a chance. But! When I put my belt back on, the squeal is completely gone. I've been driving it and haven't heard it once! Maybe it just needed taken off and put back together! If the squeal comes back though, I will definitely stethoscope it. Appreciate all your help!