Problem with my idler pulley... I think?

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Apr 24, 2023 | 09:16 PM

dumpllings

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From: texas

Problem with my idler pulley... I think?

Hi all,

I had health issues and had the car torn apart for about a year trying to do a timing belt replacement I was planning on doing, I have not been able to get to it and needed to get back on the road so last night I went ahead and put it back together and ill tackle it when I'm up for it. I decided to replace the thermostat and serpentine belt while I was in there, now when I start the car it squeals for awhile and gets worse when RPMs rise. On the idler pulley it looks like the belt is right on the edge of, does anyone see any issues here? https://imgur.com/a/tXcjNtn

Hoping I just missed something. it was a late night.

Thanks

Apr 24, 2023 | 10:07 PM

LeX2K

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From: Alberta

Belt is for sure riding too far off the idler. You'll need to pull the belt and check the idler for play. Are you sure something was not left out? I'm not that familiar with UZ engines.

Apr 25, 2023 | 12:42 AM

dumpllings

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From: texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeX2K

Belt is for sure riding too far off the idler. You'll need to pull the belt and check the idler for play. Are you sure something was not left out? I'm not that familiar with UZ engines.

I put everything I pulled off into separate bags, don't think I missed anything so that's why I'm extra puzzled. Unless there was something to put behind the idler pulley I only had the pulley, pulley cover and nut to attach it to the stud.

So just not sure what the problem could be, the idler pulley is already significantly pushed out more than the other pulleys so the belt should be centered perfectly, and when I try to recenter it and start it up it just goes right back to the edge. I'll pull it all off again tomorrow and will play around with it some more. I'm sure the bearing needs to be replaced but the belt is also riding way too close to the edge for my comfort. The only other thing that was taken off was the power steering pump pulley so I'll check that next.

Apr 25, 2023 | 08:26 AM

NEWONE1

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From: CA

Could it be the insert spacer?

Last edited by NEWONE1; Apr 25, 2023 at 08:35 AM.

Apr 25, 2023 | 10:09 AM

DshngDaryl

Pole Position

Joined: May 2016

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From: AZ

Could it be the pulley right before the idler pulley? Could that pulley not be "Feeding" the idler properly?

Apr 25, 2023 | 01:08 PM

teigen

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From: Wisconsin

Here’s what the repair manual shows for belt replacement. Hope this might help.

Apr 25, 2023 | 04:04 PM

Wilson2000

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From: CA

Did you use an aftermarket belt perhaps?The size or quality of the belt could cause noise. Is the tensioner released and not all the way to it's furthest end of travel? If it is, a lose belt could cause the squeal you described. Bearing noises are much different than belt noises. A bad bearing sounds like a chirping sound, and a lose belt more like a squeal.