2004 t&c squeak gemlin belt

3736 Views 29 Replies 9 Participants Last post by BUZAinVA, Jul 20, 2017

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · Jun 5, 2017

I'm at wits end a few months ago i heard a small squeak coming from the belt so when the oil was changed at Midas they checked it recommended a new pulley so I said okay they also changed the belt. All was well for a a few weeks. Took it back changed out the belt and the tensioner went away and came back they installed a different brand of belt and tensioner would only squeak when cold then it went south even worse have a new appointment wed. So far they have not charged me a penny but i'm afraid they can't find a permanent fix Any ideas ? they have tried different brands of belts and such but nothing. I'm afraid its gonna fly off or do some major damage.

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nivar

· #2 · Jun 5, 2017

I am in no way a mechanic, only a do it yourselfer that has had these GCs for the past 10 years or so.

So here goes....

It could be that another pulley may not be fully functional - the harmonic ballancer could be wobbly and causing the belt to eventually squeak. If all the pulleys are not lined up correctly the new belt may work for a bit then eventually start to squeak.

Start the van, pop the hood and take a look at the belt and see if you see any wobble on the belt. Look down at where the bottom most pulley ( harmonic ballancer/crankshaft pulley) is and see if it is wobbling.

The overrunning alternator decoupler (oad) pulley if bad/worn makes a clunking sound and doesn't function as it should if bad.

I hope this points you in the correct direction to getting your squeak silenced for good.

Good luck.

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BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 5, 2017

I had forgotten the first repair they did was the harmonic balancer I paid for that but everything else the have done for free I was thinking maybe something wasn't tightened correctly. The belt is tight and I don't see any wobble.

Caraman99

· #4 · Jun 5, 2017

My current belt is a "Bando" (Rockauto) they have been around for a while, and seem to make a quality product. It's been over a year with this one and not a hint of a squeal yet.

I bought the Bando because I was getting tired of changing perfectly good Gates belts because of the squealing. (all accessories to spec.)

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 5, 2017

I bookmarked the part for now I'm hoping its something simple or they just replace with oem parts to see if thats the problem.

Carbuff2

· #6 · Jun 6, 2017

The OAD pulley on the alternator was mentioned...

This could cause a squeak as well as a clunk. The tip off: an extra squeak/noise as the engine shuts down.

++++++++++

Recommend listening with a mechanic's stethoscope or a cardboard tube. Try to isolate where the noise is coming from.

++++++++++++

One last comment: I have experienced several defective idler/tensioner replacement bearings on several different makes/models of cars. There are a lot of cheap inferior parts out there. :angry1:

Reactions: 1

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 7, 2017

Just an update. oil change(semi syn) and another belt change not sure what brand and poof squeak is gone. If the squeak returns i'm gonna buy a Chry belt and have the try that. They went all over it said everything is aligned correctly also might try different repair shop which I hate to do midas has been honest and reasonable with me for over 2 years after I lost my mechanic. Can't beat $30 semi syn oil changes.

P.S. No charge for the 4th belt.

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 23, 2017

Its back with a vengeance but only on warm up one mechanic that listened to it said it was the water pump. Is that possible ? never heard of that. said it was inside the pump.

443k3.3

· #9 · Jun 23, 2017

Water pump packing, expansion and contraction then add in age....yes very well could be.

2013 Scion xB 2.4l

238k 2k per week ::2003 Chevrolet Suburan 5.3 163k Nivomats 2013 GMC Acadia SLT 3.6l 91k
2006 Town & Country 3.8 Touring 327k Nivomats, 2nd engine, 2nd trans kids 2015 Town & Country, 79k Mom ::::2003 Grand Caravan 3.3 238 kids :::::1997 Grd Voy 3.3 312k Nivomats kids::::: 1999 Dodge Caravan 3.0 115k brother Gone but not forgotten: 2003 Caravan 3.3 Flex 443k original engine and trans & lighting strike ?sold 10/2013, should have never let it go.

1992 Plymouth Voyager 3.0 sold 1999 ;;; 2000 Grand 3.3 201k sold 4/2016 ...1999 Jeep GC 4L 221k 2nd head sold 4/2017::1995 Jeep GC 4L 335k sold 12/17 ;;;;2003 Grand Caravan Sport 3.8 269k Nivomats, sold 10/17 ::2007 Town & Country Limited 132k, Nivomats Totaled 5/19/19 Good riddance:1996 Town & Country 3.3 when 2nd trans went 2003

Reactions: 1

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 24, 2017

Well I talked to the manager of midas who has been dealing with this for months and he sincerely doubts it and recomends that i try a double grooved belt. Should I try that first and were do I get one. Or ya think i should just try a Chrysler oem belt. They have put on some many new parts trying to fix it (for Free) I'm just tired of taking time out to get it in the shop.

Caraman99

· #11 · Jun 24, 2017

Caraman99 said:
My current belt is a "Bando" (Rockauto) they have been around for a while, and seem to make a quality product. It's been over a year with this one and not a hint of a squeal yet.

I bought the Bando because I was getting tired of changing perfectly good Gates belts because of the squealing. (all accessories to spec.)

This is the brand I bought, it hasn't made a peep in well over a year.

Keep in mind, if you convert to double sided belt kit, you are committed to buying their belt as replacement.

BUZAinVA

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 24, 2017

what is a kit ? is there something else i need to change?

Caraman99

· #13 · Jun 24, 2017

BUZAinVA said:
what is a kit ? is there something else i need to change?

You would need grooved tensioner and idler pulleys to work with a double ribbed belt. Yours are smooth now.

Reactions: 1

markfothebeast

· #14 · Jun 25, 2017

A $10 scope works great to find squeaks. I put the tip on each accessory with the engine idling and can easily hear a grinding bearing or the source of the noise.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

waynefoutz

· #15 · Jun 26, 2017

Get a Goodyear Gatorback belt from a NAPA store. The backside is grooved. Just put it on the stock pulleys. Your ears will thank you.

markfothebeast

· #16 · Jun 26, 2017

I've always used horse **** cheap belts and it had never attributed to a squeak. It might be embarassing but you can buy an entire Caravan for under a thousand bucks.

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Caraman99

· #17 · Jun 26, 2017

waynefoutz said:
Get a Goodyear Gatorback belt from a NAPA store. The backside is grooved. Just put it on the stock pulleys. Your ears will thank you.

A grooved "backside" needs a grooved idler and tensioner pulley. Your ears won't thank you if you don't!

waynefoutz

· #18 · Jun 26, 2017

Caraman99 said:
waynefoutz said:

Get a Goodyear Gatorback belt from a NAPA store. The backside is grooved. Just put it on the stock pulleys. Your ears will thank you.

Click to expand...

A grooved "backside" needs a grooved idler and tensioner pulley. Your ears won't thank you if you don't!

This is what I'm talking about right here

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Mr. Fixit

· #19 · Jun 27, 2017

BUZAinVA said:
Its back with a vengeance but only on warm up one mechanic that listened to it said it was the water pump. Is that possible ? never heard of that. said it was inside the pump.

If ya have any crayons or paraffin wax , with it running zig-zag it across the smooth side of the belt. see if it goes away.

Mr. Fixit.

Caraman99

· #20 · Jun 27, 2017

waynefoutz said:
This is what I'm talking about right here

Where are the "backside grooves" in your attachment image? Those belts are smooth.

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