Hello,

my car is a 96 cavalier coupe 2.2 4-cyl (89000 miles). Before the car warms up, there is a noise coming from the serpentine belt. It becomes more noticable (gets louder) when the car is accelerating. However once the car warms up or I spray it with some WD-40 while it's still cold the noise goes away. I have not taken the car for repairs yet, but someone recommended to me to buy and apply "belt dressing". Is this a good idea? I'm a novice and don't wish to replace the belt myself, but was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for me how to prevent the noise or what it might cost to have it repaired. There aren't any other problems with the vehicle at this time.

Thank you,
- rrgarmy

I am having the same problem with my 2000 Z24. i was told by a few people it was the tensioner. but i have yet to want to go ahead and replace that.

i had the same problem on a acclaim and i tried wd-40 and belt dressing and all that did was help for a day or two and made a nasty mess so i just changed the belt.
That worked for a little bit finally i got a smaller belt i dont think it's your tensenor. dose your tensenor self tenson? ps look to see if your belt is "shiny" or cracked?

The belt looks shiny, I did not notice any cracks. I do not know if it has a self-tensioner.

Here are links to some photos I took of the belt (not removed)

http://webpages.charter.net/rr_g/belt1.jpg (with flash)
http://webpages.charter.net/rr_g/belt2.jpg (no flash)
http://webpages.charter.net/rr_g/belt3.jpg (no flash)

i had the same problem on a acclaim and i tried wd-40 and belt dressing and all that did was help for a day or two and made a nasty mess so i just changed the belt.
That worked for a little bit finally i got a smaller belt i dont think it's your tensenor. dose your tensenor self tenson? ps look to see if your belt is "shiny" or cracked?

ok, look on the tensioner and if it has 2 bolts, you have to loosen those bolts and pull down the tensioner and make it as tight as you can. Hold it there as you retighten the bolts. If it dont stretch the belt because it as far as will go you will need to get a new belt. take the belt to your auto parts store. It could be the wrong size. If there is no bolts there should be a square hole you can put a breaker bar in (the longer the bar the easier it will be to detension) pull down until the belt is loose enough to pull off the pully same way to replace. Hope that helps. ps if you know anything about a eagel talon im haveing starting problems (i have a post) pps. belts are verry easy to change about a 10 min job. :smokin:

The tensioner on this car is not adjustable. They can be helped for a little while with some spray lube sprayed behind the seal. The replacement at most autoparts stores runs about $40 Good Luck.

and this is why i tell people to freakin search.....

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=309192

I had actually searched and reviewed the post you linked before starting this thread and the informtion I got out of it is:

"How do I know when i need a new belt?...
Here are some signs...
~Noticeable deep v cracks
~High pictched squeeling that only gets louder when more time passes
"

However the belt has no cracks and the noise from mine is more of a rattle then a squeal. Even though your post is detailed, I still could not be sure if i needed an entirely new belt or to just get the tensioner fixed as it's been suggested. But I still gained insight from these replies as well as the diagram and write-up.





and this is why i tell people to freakin search.....

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=309192

Does it sound like somthing is pinging or like tinging around?... If so i know exactly what that is.

the sound it's making is a very low pitched, repetitive "whee-whee-whee" which is noisier when the car accelerates. The noise is not a constant tone or squeal, however when the car is warmed up or i spray WD40 around the parts the noise ceases.

Sounds to me, you need a new Idler pully...

right below the upper engine mount.. there is a 2" pully about 4-6" down from the mount..( refer to the post i made about the replacment for exact placement).... pretty sure thats your problem...