bad motor mount=belt squealing

[funk53daba]

Any chance a bad top motor mount could cause the serpentine belt to squeal? I would elaborate on why I think it might, but if there's no connection, I'll just sound like an idiot.

[sc2_projekt_97]

nope.

[WingsOfSaturn]

nada.

[DonP]

I'll just sound like an idiot.

Not likely. but ask anyway, every village needs an idiot Seriously, ask and in the response you, and others reading the thread, may pick up some new and interesting information as to the reason that helps you better understand the vehicle.

FWIW folks here are generally more polite than in many other web forums so posters can have much less fear of being flamed.

Note that there is an inspection method (detaild iin other thread - try search for it) to check for bad mounts, and a bad mount can cause other problems, so if you suspect the mount - check it.

[OnDaGround]

Spray water on the belt and if the sound goes away its the belt, if not its probably the tensioner.

[Fox Slaughter]

Why would spraying water on the belt do? Usually a squealing belt if its high pitch, check the belt for heat. If the belt is hot means your belt is slipping. Time to get a new belt.

[OldNuc]

The water makes it slip more and lubes it so it does not squeak. Its a 20-30 dollar belt, if it squeaks find out why and replace it. If you water it and the noise quits find out why the old one is slipping and then replace it and any other failed parts.

[TwinRevver]

and other pulleys spin them to see if turns smoothly and freely.

[funk53daba]

All right thanks. I'll spray some water on it and check for heat and that will help determine what's going on. I don't want to replace the tensioner until I know for sure, b/c replacemente looks to be a hassle for me.

[OldNuc]

Tensioner replacement is a bit difficult. You need a decent set of 6 point open ends and they are scarce.

[OnDaGround]

Originally Posted by Fox Slaughter

Why would spraying water on the belt do? Usually a squealing belt if its high pitch, check the belt for heat. If the belt is hot means your belt is slipping. Time to get a new belt.

tis called diagnosis.

[OnDaGround]

Originally Posted by funk53daba

All right thanks. I'll spray some water on it and check for heat and that will help determine what's going on. I don't want to replace the tensioner until I know for sure, b/c replacemente looks to be a hassle for me.

Saturn drivebelt tensioner removal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REanRbFco4k

Saturn Tensioner Removal 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU5lDkHsacM

The water will only stop the squeak for a couple of seconds or so, but it will ensure you are replacing only what is needed.

[funk53daba]

All right I started the car this morning and sure enough the squeak began. I squirt the belt and the squeak stopped IMMEDIATELY, which was nice b/c that noise is excruciating. It was silent for about 5 seconds, then started to squeak again.

So from what I've read, this implies a bad belt, rather than a bad tensioner...correct?

[OldNuc]

It has told you the problem is with the belt and the belt system. It could be the tension, tensioner bearing, idler bearing, belt its self, oil on the belt - it does not take much, any of the driven components bearings, crank shaft pulley, or alignment.

The next step is to remove the belt and inspect it closely, both front and back. Have a new one if that one is a couple of years old as it is probably shot. Once they squeak they are a bit worn anyway. Be sure to get the right size, if DOHC its a 778 and not a 780. The other configurations are correct.

While the belt is of you spin the tensioner and idler pulley and if it either wobbles or sounds like a roller skate its done for. Also check the other driven components.

[2NDSOUT]

No one has asked...

How old is the belt that you have in the car right now?

If it has been in there longer than 60K miles...replace it. If you don't know how long it has been...replace it.

I would reccommend Dayco and/or Gatorback Belts. I've used both of them in my 3 Saturns with good luck, long lasting all around.

They will run about $15-$24.99 depending on where you buy from.

Replacing the belt is relatively easy. Just take an open end box wrench (14MM) on the belt tensioner to release the tension, and then remove the old belt. Then put your new belt on, while still "releasing" the belt tensioner, and you are good to go.

The motor mounts and the serpentine belt are completely independent of each other.

[funk53daba]

My thinking was that having a bad motor mount would cause the engine to sag, affecting the angles of the pulleys around the belt, causing slippage. Obviously, after 5 minutes of tinkering, my dad and I realized that's a dumb theory b/c all the pulleys are on the motor, so the pulleys aren't affected whether the motor is sagging or not.

The tensioner was shot...there was no tension. It came off easily with a six point socket and a 3/8 drive. Also, I found the idler bearings to have that "marble" noise, so I replaced the bearings. Add in a new belt, and the squeal is gone. Also I've found that the motor doesn't "jerk" anymore when going in 1st or 2nd with little pressure on the gas pedal.

The mount was shot also, I'm going to post a pic of that in another thread, because I was fascinated by how crappy it was. No more vibration in the car.

I do recommend combining the mount replacement job with the belt replacement, if both need fixing. Doing both jobs worked out nicely b/c having the mount off gave more access to the belt and the idler. Actually, if it's needed, when replacing the tensioner, go ahead and add a 3rd job. Do an oil filter change. The damn thing was right in front of my face once I removed the wheel well shrouding to access the tensioner.

[OnDaGround]

lol... good to know it was the tensioner. I gave you the videos, didn't you watch them? The tensioner and the alternator are right in your face once you pull the housing off...

[funk53daba]

Yeah I watched them, thanks. Guess I overlooked the oil filter being right there.

[OnDaGround]

Yep, helps you do an oil change on the ground when you know that.