I think I may need to replace my serpentine belt but I'd like to get your guys' opinions.

My belt has been squeaking for some time now but the sound would usually go away after a few minutes of driving.
Recently the noise became louder and is now more of a "squeal" than a squeak. As of a few days ago the noise is constant at low RPMs (e.g. even after a prolonged period of driving the noise comes back when I'm at a low RPM).
I opened the hood and when I revved the engine to ~2k RPM the noise completely disappeared. Once I let go of the gas it starts squealing again.

Does anyone think it can be something other than the belt?

 

Check your Idler pulley, The bearing might be going bad.

 

Do I need to remove the belt in order to check the pulley?
As well, I found this thread https://g35driver.com/forums/engine-...ine-belts.html and there's a diagram that shows two idler pulleys on the alternator belt. Which one am I interested in?

 

What's the condition of your belt.


I've found these belts stretch over time. Every time I change out my belts, I need to crawl under and retighten because they stretch and I get a slight squeal when I start the car or the engine was cold or I drive through water. You'd think a cat was getting killed under my hood.

If your belts are ok (no cracks, splits or drying out) then just loosen the two pullies and tighten up the adjusters a few turns and then retighten the idlers. Give that a shot.

 

Belts both seem fine and pretty taught. I will however try to tighten the pulleys a bit and see if that solves it.

While searching I found a nice and simple way to help determine what's making the squeaking noise - belt or pulley. Simply spray some water onto the ribbed side of the belt and if it stops screeching then it's the belt and not the pulley. Here's the video:

 

One more question: do I need to loosen the idler pulleys when tightening the tension adjustment bolts or can I leave everything as is and just tighten that bolt a bit?

 

nice to meet you all

 

all the best

 

yes

 

IIRC, 15mm wrench to loosen the pullies.

Then you will need a metric socket (unsure what size) with a 12" extension on a rachet to tighten up the tensioners. I would recommend some penetrating oil on the tensioner adjusters as they tent to rust up and are a little hard to move sometimes

 

14mm on the pulley nuts and 12mm for the tensioners. I just replaced the belts on mine a couple of weeks ago.

 

yep. 14mm and 12mm. I snugged up my alt/ps belt last weekend. It would intermittently chirp. I was able to do it from the top, (saving removing the engine under cover), by using a mirror and a gear wrench for the adjuster bolt.

 

Or, he could just go to the parts store, buy some belt dressing, spray the belt dressing on his belts while the engine is running and problem should be solved.

 

For a dat or two...

Check the belt tension, should be 3/4" deflection at the longest span.

 

Shouldn't that be 1/4"?