How to diagnose the chirping squealing under the hood.

[CajunWon]

This week the Envoy began squealing. Can't pinpoint the source.
Removed and greased the bearings of the idler and tension pulleys. Both were dry but the bearing balls were smooth and shiny.
Started the cold engine, but the noise remains. Does the grease need to warm up?
What to check next? These 2 pulleys were easy, would hate to replace the water pump and still have the squeal. -TIA
'06 GMC Envoy 5.3l V8

 

[Mike534x]

Would you be able to post a video/sound clip of what it sounds like?

It could be the Power Steering Pump, those make noise when they go bad. Mine has a slight squeak/squeal but its from the small coolant leak going to the radiator/upper radiator hose dripping onto the belt and A/C compressor belt.

 

[CajunWon]

Seems to get quiet above idle. This is mild as it gets louder.

 

[Capote]

Have you taken the belt off and then ran your Voy to see if the noise is belt-driven accessory related?

 

[AWD V8]

Take a spray bottle of water and lightly spray inside the belt. If the noise stops or changes it is a belt to pulley issue. If the noise remains, it's an idler or some accessory.

If the belt is noisy then you can TRY replacing the belt. Often the belt picks up grit and sand and embeds it in the belt grooves. This grit then grinds against the steel pulleys and makes noise. Sometimes I can pick out the stuff and the noise is gone. If the belt is old and hardened then you need to replace the belt. Of all the belts I've tried the Goodyear Gatorback is the most resistant to noise.

Over the years and miles the pulley surfaces wear and then even a new belt can make noise. In these cases I try body polishing compound on the inside of the belt, just about a teaspoon. Here is a video of an Astro van I was working on.

 

[Mooseman]

I had a chirpy belt. Replaced it with a Gatorback and has been good. BTW, Gatorback was bought out by Continental if you can't find them.
Continental

 

[AWD V8]

Don't use any belt dressing! That stuff will either make your belt VERY noisy as it drys tacky and the sticky belt will make a tearing sound as it comes off the pulleys, or it will be quite for a short while, but then, like fly paper it will pick up all kinds of road debris and be just as noisy or more so than it was before.

Also don't put any petroleum on the belt.

 

[CajunWon]

Water does silence all chirping!
Only 85k on this original belt, heard they last 100k, appears in good shape.
AAP AutoZone O'Reilly are all close, but none carry the Gator back. Amazon carries a Contieintal elite 4060922. Dayco 4060923 is the same price.

Do the pulleys need preparation before replacing the belt?

 

[Mooseman]

Nope unless they are rusty from sitting a long time. Just replace it.

 

[CajunWon]

New belt is on, likely the easiest RipnReplace I've ever done.
Chirp n squeal is the same. Used paint polish as described and drove around, no change. Garden hose to wash off the Polish and it squealed the whole time. Watched the AC engage which does not alter the sound. As a complete guess thinking fan clutch, water pump.
Looking for ideas.

 

[mrrsm]

You have already mentioned the Chirping Problem be caused by the bearings in the Water Pump.... however the Alternator may be the more likely suspect. The clue to look for is any excessive shiny appearances favoring one side inside the grooves of the pulley and on the outer margins. There are some posts here at GMT Nation that discuss rebuilding alternators using a ver high quality kit but some skills are necessary to do it properly and obtaining an OEM Quality new one is recommended if you can detect any nose to tail freedom or wobble in the Alternator Pulley.

 

[CajunWon]

Thanks.
I tested alignment with a straight edge carpenter square between the tension pulley and the alternator, it's exactly straight square. No detectable wobble or shiny edges.
Hard to pinpoint sound source, but since the alternator is on top fairly certain this is not it.

 

[Capote]

Thanks.
I tested alignment with a straight edge carpenter square between the tension pulley and the alternator, it's exactly straight square. No detectable wobble or shiny edges.
Hard to pinpoint sound source, but since the alternator is on top fairly certain this is not it.

Have you ran with the belt off at all? That's helped me pin-point oddities before.

 

[Mooseman]

And then spin each pulley and accessories. Lots of posts regarding pulleys. Strange that the water would quiet it down though.

 

[mrrsm]

The water phenomena happens because the angular misalignment between the dry belt and dry pulley grooves develops enough friction to create the sound. Dayco makes a Laser Serpentine Belt Pulley Alignment Tool for $124 and Gates has one for under $80.00 that can isolate individual pulleys that do not align properly. Quite pricey and rarely used, for sure … but deadly accurate in getting right down to making the pinpoint discovery of which pulley is the “Chirping Suspect”.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009TM6EFA/?tag=gmtnation-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WYFI1A/?tag=gmtnation-20

 

[CajunWon]

The water phenomena happens because the angular misalignment between the dry belt and dry pulley grooves develops enough friction to create the sound. Dayco makes a Laser Serpentine Belt Pulley Alignment Tool for $124 and Gates has one for under $80.00 that can isolate individual pulleys that do not align properly. Quite pricey and rarely used, for sure … but deadly accurate in getting right down to making the pinpoint discovery of which pulley is the “Chirping Suspect”.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009TM6EFA/?tag=gmtnation-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WYFI1A/?tag=gmtnation-20

Yes, did run without the belt, zero squealing. At least this rules out the AC belt and attached components.
Odd that sometimes spraying a little water provides silence, yet while soaking it with the hose it will continue to squeal. I'm obviously not good at this.

 

[Bow_Tied]

I am about to fight a similar noise. Have you checked your power steering fluid level?

 

[CajunWon]

Power steering fluid level is fine. Thanks

Perception of the sound getting worse over past week.

 

[CajunWon]

Here it is!
Short drive and the coolant started leaking, steaming, whole front of motor wet. Then the fan stopped turning. Grab the fan and can wiggle it, solid connection to the drum in front of the water pump. Threw fault code 0526 after I returned, then restarted it.
Since it is very wet, can't tell from where the leak is, but guess the water pump is leaking more than a weep hole would allow.

How does the fan clutch work? If I replace the water pump will the fan clutch work, or must I get a new clutch?
Could use a water pump write-up.
Off to the store, no garage and burning daylight.

 

[Mooseman]

If you are getting that error, sounds like the fan clutch is dead. Since your water pump is completely shot, you can't even test the clutch but given the circumstances and the error code, I'd replace it.

Get a Hayden. It's the best price/quality ratio. Dorman is unreliable and is known to fail quickly.

Please have a look at the FAQ: Vortec 4.2L I-6

 

[CajunWon]

The Water Pump Replacement writeup is great, much easier than the last vehicle I did this. The chain brace is rather brutal but effective. http://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/how-to-replace-the-water-pump.15639/

The pump is $84 and available today (twice the price of my last pump for a Jeep). The fan clutch with waterpump kit is $220 and available Tuesday. If the clutch is a known frequent issue, then I'll have to wait.

 

[Mooseman]

Forgot to mention that while you're there. might as well replace the thermostat and temp sensor. ACDelco all the way.

You could put in the water pump and put the old clutch back in until you get the new one. Should be able to get it cheaper online. It shouldn't overheat till then as a lot will keep driving them without noticing until it's really hot out or the A/C is performing poorly. It's just the extra trouble of taking it out again.

 

[CajunWon]

To close this thread:
New water pump & thermostat installed, replaced the antifreeze. No chirps squeals. The temp sensor reads 222* - 224* idle (1st time using TorquePro app). Fan operates normally.

AutoZone for parts, when you need it quick they have it and they had the fan bolt wrench to borrow. Used the strap method to hold the fan pulley to loosen & tighten the big nut. Simple rip'n'replace. Only 2 issues: devil of a time to disconnect the electric fan connector; DexCool tastes terrible!

 

[Tiggerr]

I hate to say it but you may end up doing this all again with AZ parts... especially the stat..these trucks are pickier than most about OEM parts...
hopefully you have good luck though!

 

[Mooseman]

Yeah but when you need it now, you need it NOW!

 

[Tiggerr]

This is true too..I've had zero success anytime I've used their parts over the yrs tho...anything I get locally I stick with NAPA...

 

[CajunWon]

hopefully you have good luck though!

Well: it puked within a mile from home, on a Saturday, diy repaired within 24hrs. I feel lucky. ;-)

I called NAPA 4:05pm, they close at 4 Saturday but answered the phone and said Tues would be earliest availability

 

[Tiggerr]

As said sometimes ya gotta have it lol