1998 Serpentine belt noise

[Bob W.]

I've spent a good amount of time urging a friend to get involved in Corvettes as he so enjoyed them. He finally bought a 1998. It's too new for me to help him however. He is experiencing serpentine belt noise. He has spent big $ having the pulleys and balancer replaced. he noise will go away fro a few weeks and then come back. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

[Ray G.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Hello;
Experience shows a high percentage of belt noise is caused by corrosion from the pulleys transferring to the belt.
The corrosion(rust) is present on the pulleys after stopping the engine because the belt surface is cleaned by the belt.
In high humidity areas, there is rust visible on the surface of the pulleys shortly after shut down.
Have had success cleaning the belt w/ a file. VERY dangerous.
Belt dressings multiply the problem by retaining the metal particle on the belt.
In WI we see a lot of this problem during high humidity.
Try removing the belt and cleaning both sides.
Hope this helps.

[Brian M.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Try a belt 1 or 2 sizes smaller.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Robert-----

Boy, does this one "sound a chord" for me!. I have been having this problem with my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP almost since it was new. The supercharger belt is the one causing the problem. It's been back to the dealer 3 times for this problem. The first time they replaced the belt and a pulley per a service bulletin that had been issued. It lasted a few month and the problem returned. The second time, they replaced the belt, another pulley, and some brackets. The problem returned a few months later. The last time, they were stumped. They removed the belt, tightened some retaining brackets per instructions from GM Technical Service, and re-assembled everything. The problem is gone......for now. I don't expect it to last very long, though.

I had the exact same problem with a 1988 Camaro I bought new. It had a loudly chirping serpentine belt which started at about 5,000 miles. I had it back to the Chevrolet dealer about 10 times for this problem. It was NEVER permanently corrected. When I sold the car at about 60,000 miles, it still had the same problem.

This is one of those things that greatly disappoints and discourages me regarding GM vehicles. Both the Camaro and the Grand Prix were nearly perfect cars, as built. The Camaro only had 2 problems-----a broken exhaust manifold bolt which was fixed and the chirping belt which could never be fixed. The Grand Prix has had only ONE problem---the chirping fan belt. However, I fully expect it's another one of these problems that "can't be fixed". So, the way I see it, if you get a car that's 100% perfect, you're ok. However, if it's got a problem, look out.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Ray------

Now, that's interesting information. I have noticed that the crankshaft drive pulley for the supercharger does have some corrosion on it. Actually, this sort of surprised me since these pullies are usually painted or powder-coated. This one does not appear to have been so-treated, at least on the belt surface. Perhaps, removing the belt, cleaning the pulley, painting its belt surface, and installing a fresh new belt is the long-term solution for me.

The thing I wonder is if this is so common a problem, why didn't the folks at my local Pontiac dealer or GM Technical Service figure this one out quickly? I realize that high humidity conditions are not prevalent in California and that might reduce the incidence of the problem here, but, I would think that the GM Technical Service folks should have figured this one out quickly.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Joe,

YOU sold a car?



Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Patrick-----

....and I've regretted it ever since.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Patrick-----

....and I've regretted it ever since.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

LOL!!

I can think of two others that are currently (or were last I knew) in your stable that should've been sold before the Camaro.

How's that 69 doing this week?

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

LOL!!

I can think of two others that are currently (or were last I knew) in your stable that should've been sold before the Camaro.

How's that 69 doing this week?

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Patrick-----

It's only about 2-3 days work from being finished.

By the way, that Camaro was real DOG. It was a "transition" car for me. I factory-ordered it with an odd combination of options. The dealer didn't even want to order it since they figured if I backed out, they'd never sell the car (since I was a MAJOR and long-time PARTS customer, they acceded to order it, though). It was a beautiful car, dark red metallic with gold rocker panels and trim, tan leather interior and fully loaded with most options. The big problem was I ordered it with a 2.8L V-6. That was a BIG mistake. It not only was a total dog, it got terrible fuel mileage, too-----the worst of all worlds.

Still, it was a beautiful car and I do regret selling it.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1998 Serpentine belt noise

Patrick-----

It's only about 2-3 days work from being finished.

By the way, that Camaro was real DOG. It was a "transition" car for me. I factory-ordered it with an odd combination of options. The dealer didn't even want to order it since they figured if I backed out, they'd never sell the car (since I was a MAJOR and long-time PARTS customer, they acceded to order it, though). It was a beautiful car, dark red metallic with gold rocker panels and trim, tan leather interior and fully loaded with most options. The big problem was I ordered it with a 2.8L V-6. That was a BIG mistake. It not only was a total dog, it got terrible fuel mileage, too-----the worst of all worlds.

Still, it was a beautiful car and I do regret selling it.