Dimewise

So a couple days ago I noticed a squeaking/squealing sound when the car is idling or in gear when cold. Sounds like the front of the engine area, possibly a pulley?

But, when the engine is warm ( oil 180+) the sounds just go away completely. Idle, low rpm or high rpm.

Any thought?

Here's a vid.

MARSC6

Remove the belt and start turning pulleys by hand you have a bearing starting to go bad.

BlindSpot

On a centrifugal boosted application the belt has to be super tight and the belts stretch super fast and wear much more quickly than the stock factory NA serpentine belt. My experience is more with A&A than ECS, but will be the same. Try that first. If you're at the belt tensioning limit, replace the belt. If there is significant age (mileage) to the FI install, then, agree, you might have a pulley bearing going out.

My first inclination is to try more belt tension.

ALS 08

Try a length of hose & use it as a stethoscope. Hold it to each pulley & your ear. listen to isolate which one it’s coming from.

PAULEB07

Sounds like a pulley.

Dimewise

Thanks yall that's what I think too.

Next question, is it worth it to go ahead and upgrade to an 8 rib setup?

Or is that not practical?

Patriot Six

Only if you’re having belt slip. It won’t solve your current issue unless the belt is too tight and damaging your accessory pullies. I was having belt slip so I went 8 rib and new A&A secondary drive. Picked up some boost and decreased the side load on the accessories.

MARSC6

Figure out exactly where the noise is coming from first. I recently had a bearing go out and spin in the manual tensioner pulley on the supercharger bracket. They are standard bearings and easy to replace but unfortunately in my case the pulley is no longer a tight fit for the new bearings so I have to replace it as well.

Dimewise

I am considering upgrading everything to 8 rib while its apart since I am over 700whp and recently have been dealing with belts getting eaten.

Earlier I let the car idle till warm while I wiped it down and the squeaking went away for now. Is it dangerous to drive the car at all like this?

I intend to start addressing the issue tomorrow.

Patriot Six

You could have a pulley fail. Or in my case, after installing the secondary drive, the belt for the alternator/power steering was too long, which was causing squealing. The squealing would go away after a few minutes, but I was concerned that the belt would slip on the alternator at high rpm leading to a drop in voltage to the fuel pump.

If you’re looking to max out the blower, I would look into the secondary drive with 8 rib (only needed for crank and blower).

BlindSpot

AAs new drive is superior but I had belt squeak until I got the belt tight enough. Only second hand knowledge on ECS drive but some have had problems like belt noise and belts getting eaten. At least one guy I know of switched to the AA new drive on his ECS setup.

Patriot Six

Yes, once I put the smaller alternator/power steering belt on, the squealing stopped. In the OPs case, I would be concerned that if he is putting too much tension on the serpentine belt to avoid belt slip, he could be damaging his accessory pullies, which can be avoided with a secondary/direct drive.

MARSC6

Something isn't right if belts are getting eaten. A failing bearing could easily be the cause of it. Driving on it could cause damage like I experienced with a roller being damaged. A roller that wouldn't be replaced with the 8 rib upgrade since they are wide enough already.

nick14003

Definitely a pulley

Dimewise

UPDATE:

Blower needs a rebuild...

madsonp

Just sounds like a squeaky belt to me, take an old wax candle and with the engine running rub the candle on the inside edge of both belts and your squeak will go away. Be careful when doing this so as to not get your fingers/clothing caught in the belts and/or fan.

BlindSpot

Not a complete surprise. I've heard of a few needing rebuilds. They're pretty reliable if the oil changes are kept up and oil level correct.

Dimewise

Yeah it sucks... I'm either gonna be out $600 or $1300.

I'm trying to decide if there is anything else doing while the car is sitting.

Maybe get some parts powder coated? lol

DOUG @ ECS

The secondary drive is completely separate from the supercharger kit, regardless of who manufactured it, so they can be used in conjunction with A&A,ECS or ATI.


Not doubting you and you probably tried changing the belt so the rest is moot but that really sounded like a belt issue to me. Often when it squeaks only when cold the belt has worn a rib down to the cords inside. When the cords hit the metal pulley it squeaks, hence why it comes and goes on rhythm.

If changing the belt temporarily fixes it, then that is most likely the issue. At that point it is either from a belt that may have slipped, or it's simply worn out. Or one of the pulleys is off from the others, wearing the belt out quicker.

Just a suggestion, I hope it works out well for you. Let me know if we can help.

BlindSpot

While you have the head unit out, spin all the other pulleys by hand. You'll be able to tell if there is any drag or rough spots. If so, better to get to those units now. Do all the pulleys in the ECS setup, the alternator (although it looks like you have a Mechman {GOOD Choice if you do}), water pump, PS, etc.

If you are all black, consider powder coating the alt bracket. It is a PIA to get out, but you'll never be closer than you are now.