Squeaky serpentine belt

[Greg_Sian]

I have a squeaky noise coming from 'fan' belt in my v6 97 vt, i rang 2 mechanics to see how much, 1st said $65.00 fitted and 2nd said $90 fitted. The 2nd basically told me it is a quick job to do and checking another forum i found out it takes the average Joe about 5 mins. He also said it could be one of the pulleys that are making the noise. So my questions to you all are:

1> How much is the belt, retail and wholesale?
2> How would you check the pulley (besides turning it with the belt off) and how much are pulleys (seems to be the self tensioner one)
3> the belt seems to be 'sliding off centre of the tensioner pulley, i've reset it with old belt on, but it still moves over.
4> The BIG question is pleeeease does anyone know how much a mechanic should charge, because i want to find a local mechanic i can trust is not spinning stories and rippin me off.

 

[genIIIbandit]

i'm a mechanic and i'd charge about $90 including belt and extra if pulleys were stuffed, it is an easy job, give it a go, just draw a picture of what the belt looks like b4 removing

 

[Greg_Sian]

Cool, i took the old one off and turned it around (more for seeing if i could do it than for a cure!). done it easy.. any thoughts on the belt that is right on the edge of tensioner pulley, theres normally about 5mm i'd say but mine is about 2mm max, looks like it could slip off, or is causing the noise because it is moving belt across on trailing pulleys....

 

[accentstencil]

I'd say the pulley bearing is worn and the pulley is not sitting straight anymore causing the belt to move off centre. Around $30 - $40 for a new pulley.

 

[cuckoo]

I'd say the pulley bearing is worn and the pulley is not sitting straight anymore causing the belt to move off centre. Around $30 - $40 for a new pulley.

dont get the crappy plastic ones get the metal ones
Cuckoo

 

[hkmonaro68]

Could also be the tensioner assembly, if the tensioner pulley is not sitting true with the other pulleys,

 

[IBLOWN]

Could also be the tensioner assembly, if the tensioner pulley is not sitting true with the other pulleys,

exactly right. the spring in the idler tensioner is worn. try first to squirt a shite load of wd40 in the small opening in the top of the tensioner. you should see a tiny bit of the spring inside. get a 15mm spanner and move the tensioner up and down alot of times after you squirt the wd40 inside. if it still squeeks then replace the tensioner.

 

[Greg_Sian]

It's still under stat warranty anyway, so the car yard will get a call Monday, will post the results later in week