Newarcher Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Hi all, I have a Toyota Tundra ('06 model). I haven't been driving as much lately because I have been working from home. I noticed over the past month or so I developed a chirp from the front left side of the engine where I believe the alternator area is. It is worse when the engine is cold and decreases as I drive the car a little bit but never goes away. What say yee? Bad belt? Bad bearing in the idler pulley or alernator? How do I tell? Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 My first guess is Belt due to the fact it quiets.... I wouldnt say it a "bad belt" but quite possibly stiff due to the cold weather. Take a can of WD40 out, start the truck. As soon as it starts chirping spray a tiny bit on the belt (away from the alternator) getting it on the sides of the belt. If it quits youve got your problem. If it doesnt you could have a bearing going out.... If its just a chirp from a cold or tight belt I wouldnt worry about it. However, if it bothers you pick up a can of belt dressing. It doesnt last forever but gives you the same result as the WD40 with a little more life... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Jeramie, Thanks that gives me what I need to know of how to diagnose it. I don't think I have any W-D but I do have some food grade silicone....would that work? Also, wouldn't it cause some slippage to put that on the belt? Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 I don't think I have any W-D but I do have some food grade silicone.... Man card in serious jeopardy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Man card in serious jeopardy. Yeah I know.....I ran out (so I did at one time have some). The food grade silicone is used on my Gold Tip carbon arrows to make it easier to remove the arrows from the targets and keeps them from squeaking. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Im sure it would work. You just need some lubricant to eliminate the noise. And it wouldnt cause enough slipping to cause a problem as long as all pulleys are turning freely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 No can do....I sprayed it and the noise is still there. I will have to take it in and get the water pump or alternator replaced....I don't know which it is. Thanks, New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 You might try WD40 before spending the money. If the noise isnt too loud I would replace it until its gone either. It could just be a bearing and may last for quite some time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 (edited) Only 2 rules to live by: If it moves and shouldn't move, you duct tape it. If it should move, but doen't, you put WD-40 on it. A chirp could be anything from a belt tensioner or idler, or anything else. I would doubt it's the alternator bearing on a 'yota failing that early. Edited February 8, 2010 by redkneck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 A chirp could be anything from a belt tensioner or idler, or anything else. I would doubt it's the alternator bearing on a 'yota failing that early. Yup, Yup! I agree 100%. My wifes 2005 Sienna has a chirp and its 100% the belt. I personally wouldnt jump and run to the shop with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBow Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Not sure, but I vaguely recall a mechanic telling me once that some of the newer continuous belts (not the V-belts) on late model vehicles are not suposed to have any lubricant or belt dressing on them. I think I tried that approach on one of my vehicles a few years back. It may have quieted things down right away, but created a worsening problem soon there after. I think I either tried belt dressing, WD40 or liquid dishsoap. I believe I ended up having to have the belt changed as the belt noise got worse. TBow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkneck Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Put a gator back on it, I hear they run quieter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 Take the belt off. Turn the idler/tensioner pulley, the alternator pulley and compressor pulley by hand. You'll know pretty quickly which one is going bad if that's the problem. If they all turn freely it's new belt time. I'd much rather replace a belt than put any kind of dressing on it. If it's noisy it's time to replace it. The dressing doesn't repair damage it only hides it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LETMGROW Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 A very small amount of WD won't hurt but don't overdo it. If the noise goes away then change, or have the belt changed. Stay away from the belt dressings. These were designed for V belts, not for the serpentine drive belt you have. The dressing will fill the grooves in the pulleys and eventually harden. This in turn will result in shortened belt life. I had a customer come in a while back who had sprayed enough dressing etc. on his belt system to baptize a moose. It took us over an hour to clean all the pulleys and change the belt. We found the original culprit to be an idler pulley bearing which cost less than $ 15. The belt was probably fine before Mr. Spray and Pray soaked it down. Job total over $150 plus tax could have been under $30. Lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Man card in serious jeopardy. for sure. and watch that gas petal... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted February 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Thanks guys. The vehicle is under an extended warranty for the next 35K miles. So it will cover it. The question is how hard I would have to fight to get them to replace it because of a squeak. A bad bearing is bad and should be replaced, IMHO. New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Take the belt off. Turn the idler/tensioner pulley, the alternator pulley and compressor pulley by hand. You'll know pretty quickly which one is going bad if that's the problem. If they all turn freely it's new belt time. I'd much rather replace a belt than put any kind of dressing on it. If it's noisy it's time to replace it. The dressing doesn't repair damage it only hides it. Yup! Spot on Leo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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