So for the most part my Sunbird has been chugging along quite wonderfully since I resolved all the cooling system issues it had. The only thing as of late that I needed to put in was a new rear, lower motor mount because the old one had collapsed. The car now runs smoother than ever.
However, I noticed a bit of a chirp coming from the drive belt recently. Although I hadn't noticed it before, its become more prominent. When I investigated the source, I discovered that the belt tensioner pulley was at fault. The pulley wheel, for whatever reason, is grinding into the timing belt cover. This seems to cause just enough resistance that it causes the belt to slip a bit, and the belt chirps as it turns the pulley wheel.
There's an area where if the belt tensioner's arm is positioned the pulley wheel will spin freely and true. However this is not where the wheel is normally positioned.
Furthermore, it seems like the angle of the wheel is guiding the edge of the belt into the timing belt cover.
I'm not sure where the problem is. The belt tensioner seems to be installed and functioning properly otherwise. The timing belt cover is fastened down as good as it could ever be. Any suggestions? My car is a '94 model with the 2.0L OHC engine.
I attached a picture that might help show what I mean. Unfortunately I had to use my phone to get it. My good camera is stored away somewhere.
However, I noticed a bit of a chirp coming from the drive belt recently. Although I hadn't noticed it before, its become more prominent. When I investigated the source, I discovered that the belt tensioner pulley was at fault. The pulley wheel, for whatever reason, is grinding into the timing belt cover. This seems to cause just enough resistance that it causes the belt to slip a bit, and the belt chirps as it turns the pulley wheel.
There's an area where if the belt tensioner's arm is positioned the pulley wheel will spin freely and true. However this is not where the wheel is normally positioned.
Furthermore, it seems like the angle of the wheel is guiding the edge of the belt into the timing belt cover.
I'm not sure where the problem is. The belt tensioner seems to be installed and functioning properly otherwise. The timing belt cover is fastened down as good as it could ever be. Any suggestions? My car is a '94 model with the 2.0L OHC engine.
I attached a picture that might help show what I mean. Unfortunately I had to use my phone to get it. My good camera is stored away somewhere.
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