Hey Scotty! Throughout the past several months I've changed just about every pulley and the serpentine belt in my 2002 Camry 2.4L with factory gem parts. I've recently started to hear a squeak upon acceleration and I was wondering if that could be the tensioner pulley, not completely sure.
I actually haven't tried that. How will I know which pulley is bad or if it's the belt?
does the sound go away if you remove the belt?
I actually haven't tried that. How will I know which pulley is bad or if it's the belt?
20 years ago I had a serpentine belt squealing on acceleration that was driving me crazy. I tried belt dressing, a brand new OEM belt, and nothing worked.
Then I realized what had happened. During the winter I would spray the engine bay with WD40 to help protect it from road salt, and had also misted the pulleys.
I pulled the belt (the new belt was ruined due to glazing), degreased the pulleys and purchased another new belt. That took care of the problem.
Could some grease or dirt have landed on the pulley(s)? Did you just replace the tensioner pulley, or the entire tensioner component? If the tension is too weak the belt will slip.
The following video show's the tensioner being replaced due to the belt making noise in the morning (according to the video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os7Juvdv-Ho
Have you replaced the pulleys on your power steering pump, water pump and alternator, along with your idler and tensioner pulleys?
Yes, the only pulley I haven't replaced yet is the AC compressor, which is still in good condition, considering that the squeak is happening regardless of whether the AC is on or off. Here is a diagram of the pulleys in my Camry:
I saw a YouTube video on "the Car Care Nut" (Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician") who has mentioned that sometimes a "squeaky Belt" is not necessarily the belt, tensioners, or the pulleys. It can be the alternator in which he stats that sometimes old alternators make a squealing noise...especially on Toyota Sienna's. Ask around with different mechanics and ask Toyota Dealerships itself to get a second or third opinion. You can also contact the car care nut at: thecarcarenut@gmail.com
Watch this video below from 10:33 to 11:36 and listen to him carefully explain these problems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaGmRqy7C_8
As an addition to this topic, watch this video below from 1:12 to 16:00 This will let you know about all the pulleys and tensioners that need to be checked, fixed, or replaced if it's not the alternator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5CnsccJhvA
