very squeaky belt

[57chevyman]

so.... I got the 5.3 engine. the belt started squeaking ..... I wasn't sure if it was a pulley or something, but figured id try the stuff in a spray can that's supposed to quiet squeaky belts. it made the speak louder than ever. I stopped at the mechanic to have him listen and told him I sprayed the belt dressing on it....

so he says, oh that stuff doesn't work, and he puts a couple of dabs of some lubricant on the inside side of the belt. I started it up and it was instantly quiet again... stayed quiet for most of the day. now it squeaks again, louder than ever.

any suggestions?

[bighaas79]

Bite the bullet and put a good quality belt on it. I've use nothing but goodyear gatorback belts. Never had one squeal.

[57chevyman]

So when the belt gets old it squeals ? I've had the truck since 180k miles . Has 235 now. I never changed the belt . Is a little lube on the belt quieting it for a while an indication the belt needs replacing ?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

So when the belt gets old it squeals ? I've had the truck since 180k miles . Has 235 now. I never changed the belt . Is a little lube on the belt quieting it for a while an indication the belt needs replacing ?

Yes, It get's glazed. As bighaas said, GatorBack belt are really good.

You now have Rubber/Petroleum goo all over the pulleys from the dressing & their "Polished" from the glazed belt, The pulleys will need to be cleaned, A stainless wire brush will rough-up the polished grooves, Finish it off with a cotton rag & some rubbing alcohol to get all the oil off.

If you just throw a belt on...You will contaminate it, And the noise will come back.

[truckdude239]

God i hate that spray stuff never works and takes forever to get off the pulleys like said get a good belt clean the pulley and your good too go

[57chevyman]

Thank you for the tips. Where do you buy the gator back belt ? If u have a link , please share

[57chevyman]

I see them on eBay for around 30 bucks..... Which part number is for me (5.3 engine)

[57chevyman]

The local stores want to sell me a Dayco belt.... and theyre saying there's two different possible belts, depending on which alternator I have ?? two different auto parts stores said the same thing...
so now im worried about ordering the wrong gatorback from the internet. I cant tell which alternator I have. it says Delphi on it

if I clean the pulleys well, the Dayco belt should be fine right ?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

The local stores want to sell me a Dayco belt.... and theyre saying there's two different possible belts, depending on which alternator I have ?? two different auto parts stores said the same thing...
so now im worried about ordering the wrong gatorback from the internet. I cant tell which alternator I have. it says Delphi on it

if I clean the pulleys well, the Dayco belt should be fine right ?

Dayco make's a lot of belts for GM, It will be fine. You most likely have a 105amp.

On a 105amp....You can't see the Stator.
On a 130amp....Yon can see about an Inch of the Stator.

[57chevyman]

thanks Clinebarger. based on your pictures, I have the 130 AMP alternator.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

thanks Clinebarger. based on your pictures, I have the 130 AMP alternator.

Unusual, May have a "Plow Prep" package.

[57chevyman]

I don't know , I just bought this truck 4 years ago

[57chevyman]

update, its all fixed and nice and quiet. The root cause of the squeaky belt was probably the leaking water pump. I replaced the water pump, cleaned the pulleys and installed new belts. sounds good now!