Hi
I have just been told that the really annoying squeak coming from under the hood (It seems to be worsening as the weather warms up and is worse at idle) is because I need to replace the serpentine belt and tensioner, to the tune of over $200.

How serious a problem is this? (Am I risking greater damage by letting this go a while?)

Is there something, simple and inexpensive, that I can do to take away the squeak?

Or at least postpone this repair? (ie: put something on the belt ???)

Thank you for your help

 

My `90 had the same thing happen. I put a slightly smaller belt on it and it stopped.

 

I have a squek but only when I have the heat on and take off from a complete stop. It squeks a little when I fire the old beast up first thing in the morning but stops after a couple seconds. I was going to pick up some belt dressing spray from the parts store until I could find time to replace everything. I have recently decided that I like the dirty looks that my dirty squeeky truck gets from the snobs that live around me. I hope it really pisses them off to have to sit next me at the stop light.

 

Also spray some lubricant into the back of the tension pulley wheel, that may calm down the squeal if the actual pulley is conributing. If the pulley is shot and the belt worn and slipping, this won't help.

 

Are you hurting anything? No, probably not, but you are getting reduced performace from your charging system running with a loose or damaged belt.

Chances are it's just the belt itself, but the tensioner can and will go bad and need replacement. 200 bucks? That seems a bit steep, and if you're confident in yourself, you can do it in the driveway much more cheaply.

Don't waste time or money on belt dressings or squeak-stops. They essentially just grease up the belt so you don't hear it slip. Once the dressing wears off, it's back to squeaksville.

 

Yes there is! A Goodyear tensioner for my 351 at O'Reilly is listed at $46.99. My serpentine belt was right about $56 at NAPA. Replacing these two items is an easy task, even if you don't have much mechanical experience there is really no reason to waste the money paying someone to do it, unless you like throwing money out the window. Prices should be similar for whatever motor you have.

The $56 belt was a NAPA belt made by Gates. They are quality products and you get what you pay for, expect 2-3 years of life out of one. I have used the Goodyear Mileage Maker belts from Schucks/O'Reilly several times in the past on various vehicles when I was short on money. These belts run right at $20 for my 351 and you get what you pay for, the longest I ever had one last on any vehicle was 7 months. I hear the Goodyear Gatorback belts are good, but I have never purchased one. Unless I was short on money, the only belt I would buy is a Gates.

 

Thank you all.
Currently, in the cool spring weather, the squeak has gone south. And so it is not a pressing issue. I do expect its return as the weather warm. I will try some of your advise.
Spoonboy

 

you only get 2-3 years out of those belts? damn man i have had this belt on my engine since i got the truck 5 years ago and it's seen MANY trips to 6,000 rpms a seized water pump and bad fan clutch and it's still going, i replace them when they squeek or break and this has done neither yet but i don't expect it to last past like the summer

 

Chexk for flat spots on the plastic idler pulley also. If this is the case then the bearing is going out. If it seizes and the belt breaks you're stuck.Move the pulley to loosen the tension on the belt and remove the bolt and put the new one on. It shouldn't take more than half an hourwhether it's the tensioner or idler pulleys.