Hi,

First real cold weather (freezing temperatures) and when starting the
car the (serpentine) belt squeaks. Year is 1997 and miles 79k. With
the present squeak that goes away reasonably quickly how long have I got
before it packs up? Do I get 500-700 miles out of it?

Am right in thinking that the tensioner should be replaced as a matter
of course if the belt is to be replaced?

Regards
Charles


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Salutations:

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:12:24 +0000, Charles Christacopoulos
<c.k.christacopoulos_removeme_ (AT) dundee (DOT) ac.uk> wrote:

Most probably needs a new belt, but the tensioner just needs to be checked
for cracks or bearing wear. The '97 9000 is supposed to be pretty
reliable. That said - the reason the squeak goes away is because it's
generated enough heat to finally stick. Heat is not a good thing on serp
belt driven systems - so don't let it go too long. It's mostly getting
transfered to the tensioner.

Interesting mod on the rotors (other thread)- I don't get the pin idea
though. Got pix?

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http://www.dexterdyne.org/310.HTM

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Dexter J wrote:

I will respond in original thread (I will look for picture first
though). Thanks for the comment above. I might have to visit the
dealer earlier .... :-( and credit card might end up getting interest
from me after all. Damn thing can't run a winter without one fault or
another ... there again it gets me out of the house :-)



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#1 if you replace the belt, replace the idler pulleys (both of them).
The squeaking may be the idler pulley... If it is the original belt, it
probably needs replacement. Inspect the operation of the belt and
tensioner from start up. If it moves around a lot, you will need to
replace the tensioner. If it is smooth and controlled during a start up
event and while running, the tensioner should be left alone.

I have done this 3 times on 3 different cars. The idlers seem to last
about 60-80kmi from my experience.

KeithG

Charles Christacopoulos wrote:

Agreed.... change them both even if the dealer says that there is no need. I
am speaking from experience. 8K after my first belt and pully change, the
tensioner pully seized without warning, destroying the new belt and damaging
the tensioner. It sounded like an explosion under the hood. Total milage at
the time was just under 60K. I had been warned not to go beyond 45K.
Lesson learned. Lets see...towing, new belt , 2 more new pullys and new
tensioner..........wasnt anthing left over from that months paycheck.
...........Almost forgot, my original morning cold start squeeking was a
pully bearing , not the belt.

"KeithG" <noone (AT) wowway (DOT) com> wrote

While in there, MAKE SURE the water pump is OK (and is not the squeak).
My son put off fixing a squeak that went away and is now buying a new
water pump AND housing, as well as having to do the repair on an
emergency basis. Damaged a few other parts too.

My Daughter's 9000 also had same symptoms and we replaced the head
gasket after the water pump failed and spewed all the coolant.
JC


In article <5s6dnZOKM4gS8wLcRVn-gQ (AT) rogers (DOT) com>, tigger123
@Down0nTheFarm.com says...
--
Jim Collins
Sammamish, WA