so i have changed the crank pulley, the tensioner pulley, and i have changed the belt twice now. but this time it only squeeks when is raining out or ifi just wash it. is there any way to make the squeeking stop when it is damp or wet out. 2001 chevy cavalier z24 by the way

auto parts stores sell spray cans of "belt dressing". It basically knocks any contaminants out of the pulleys, and then lubes the belt with the proper type of lube for belts. It works wonders on dune-buggy's, and ATV's and such. Maybe itll help you, and its only about $3. Good luck!

yeah that is a good suggestion. I was told that the chemicals and waxes in car washes tend to make problems like this occur to.


I am looking for struts for my newly aquired Eibach pro-kit performance coils, If anybody has some?

that could be it but everytime i use belt dressing it makes it worse. but it does do it after the car wash for a little then stops. the belt has been squeeking on and off during the rain we have been getting alot now but then after awhile it will stop. then sometimes it wolnt squeek while at idle then will when i rev the motor up i dont understand those stupid belts

You changed the entire tensioner, not just the pulley, right?

no i changed just the tensioner pulley

I'm not a mechanic and mine is ok, but I do wonder sometimes what symptoms to look for when I need a new tensioner. If they gradually lose the tension control they're supposed to maintain, then that could be one.

Also one auto parts place lists the tensioner (for my 2.2liter) as a 'light duty' one. I'm not sure if it means it doesn't last long, or if it means stock engine, no mods, normal driving.

the belt and tensioner manufactures used to advertise to change the tensioner and belt together. if the tensioner is not putting enought tension on the belt it will slip under the conditions you have posted.

yea but my tensioner you cant even get it to move unless you actually need to get it to move with a wrench.. but the belt is tight

on mine you do have to use a wrench, I think it's around 15mm and if you have an offset wrench it's even better
but it does move easily with the wrench and I never get squeaks
On mine (2.2liter) the tensioner moves to the right, so when I move it with the wrench I help it move towards the right.

so I don't know, maybe if it's too hard to move then that could be the problem?
the belt might be tight now, but doesn't tension fluctuate in many places as the rpms change, and the tensioner's job is to try to keep the proper tension every second as the rpms change? Just trying to think.
does somebody know?

I also don't know how the '01 z24 is made, could the tensioner be a different location from an idler pulley? I think some motors require a stationary idler pulley, and also a tensioner pulley at a different location.

Are you sure it's not the tensioner squeaking? Reason I ask is I got a brand new tensioner from GM and it squeaked. I had to go back and get another tensioner, it's been good ever since.


"Straight roads are for fast cars, turns are for fast drivers"-Colin McRae

the tensioner as whole or just the pulley it only does it when its wet or when the car is warmed up its so weird

Well today I put the shorter belt on, to entirely bypass the A/C. There is not much room for the tensioner to fluctuate, by the time the belt was
able to fit the alternator, the tensioner felt like it was maxed out, but good thing I don't have squeaky belts. I hope you got yours fixed.