vetdude

Well, I 've taken the Wife's '98 A4 convertible (42K original miles) back to the same Chevy dealer four times for the infamous C5 "belt chirp" and now it's back.

1. Replaced OEM belt with Gatorback per recommendations here - problem remains
2. Replaced new Gatorback belt with new OEM - problem remains
3. Replaced both tensioner and a/c pulleys - problem remains
4. Replaced new OEM belt with new OEM belt - problem returns



Now, short of the wife going totally ballistic and me using up all my vacation leave going back and forth to dealer, can anyone in the MD area recommend a reputable repair shop/dealer service dept. that can fix this thing once and for all? We are beyond out of patience.

Thanks in advance.

Quicksilver98

I don't know any shops on that side of the country but I had the same issue a year ago. Best thing to do to narrow it down is remove A/C belt all together and see if it still does it. (That will eliminate the A/C idler, tensioner and a/c compressor itself) Mine ended up being one of the idler pulleys on the main drive belt but I ended up replacing all 4 just to have them at the same age and not having to do it again 6 months down the road.

a/c man

check the balancer for wobble it may be coming apart very common problem

hotwheels57

Maybe this would be better posted in C5 Tech? Or the regional forum?

mrm1149

Also check exhaust manifold to pipes connection...actually can sound like a chirp.

my6thvette

In my case, the chirp was from the A/C belt. It will stop if you just put a little silicone oil on the belt. I just wet the tip of a finger with the oil and rub it on the ribbed side of the belt. After several months, I usually have to repeat the procedure.

kh400

We've run into this problem at the repair shop I work at [unfortunately in Florida] and have solved this problem on many cars by changing the belt brand. I know, sounds crazy. Go to Advance Auto Parts and get their store brand , or generic belt that they sell for your application. May not work, but it's worth a try. Good luck!!!!!

dare8601

Had the chrip...replaced with belts from AutoZone and it went away...I know one of the belts was a Gatorback...Drove me crazy till they were changed...

VaPuller

I feel your pain dude. Going through same thing. Just replaced both tensioners, both fixed idlers and both belts with GM to the tune of $400 plus in parts alone. Problem, though not as bad, is still there. My next step was to go to the Goodyear "Gatorbacks" but now I don't know. I tried belt dressing but no luck. Keep us posted if you find a solution.
Good luck,
VaPuller

GREG O.

are u sure u are not leaking a few drops of anti freeze. from the pump or radiator..check closely..while engine running spray some atf on the a/c belt and main belt...if the noise goes away then just get new belts. unless u have an antifreeze leak...fix that first.

nickk4469

My escalade did this, it was the ac compressor going bad (i changed the belts a few times before i realized this). It is easy to check, just take the ac belt off and if it stops, you found your problem. Let us know when you figure it out.

Toxiclemonade

Your chirp could also be caused by a chipped pulley. My chirp was caused by a power steering pully that had a decent sized chip out of the plastic pully that was causing a chirp sound. Maybe a possible cause as well.

zee OH sex

i had same problem, replaced the main belt, idler and tensioner and still chiped/squeaked. Pulled the AC belt and it went away. Havent put a new one on yet, so i dont know if it was the belt itself or an idler, tensioner, or compressor in the AC system. Ive heard the compressors go bad commonly. Its still window season here, maybe in a month or so ill want AC and get around to fixing it. Hope this helps!

Roger Z06

I got dibs on the AC compressor...
IB4thisthreadismovedtoc5tech

TEXHAWK0

First, GM does not recommend you use belt dressing on serpentine belts as it can cause the belt to deteriorate.
IF you think a belt is making the noise, mist water on the belt with a hand spray bottle. IF the noise goes away, you found the belt.

Has the dealer checked to make sure you do not have pulley misalignment? Check the crank pulley to make sure it is not moving on the shaft.

Oldvetter

Tony's Corvette Shop in Gaithersburg, MD is a GREAT shop, here is a link:

http://www.tonyscorvetteshop.com/Res...cts/viewer.asp

Evil-Twin

Or are you talking belt squeel? two very different things.. Belt chirp in an early model A4 was debugged in the field and a clutch was added to the altenator to correct this.,,,in later models, a new clutch type alternator and a reflash PCM corrects that problem..

ncvettes

Use a non-spring loaded belt tensioner. Several of us that purchased the Comp belt tensioner eliminated the problem. It's not a cheap part, but well worth the $165 I spent to get rid of that never ending bit of Corvette history...

Comp Link

Frans96ss

I agree. Let me know if i can help. Bring it up and we will fix it. We will also prob not charge you what the dealer was haha.

roll4speed

I finally took the Z06 out for a spin once all the snow and salt was gone. I have that darn chirp and it's loud. I'm gonna have it checked out and I will report back. Thanks for all the suggestions on what it may be.

I'm in MD too and if you find a good Corvette shop around Howard County pass it on.