I noticed, what seemed like my belt, squeaking this morning, at a cold idle. I've been doing research and it seems like the first step is to replace the belt and if it's still squeaking, then replace the tension pulley assembly. What's it yalls preference on OEM belt vs the Goodyear Gatorback belt? I have a MY2000 which I bought at 45k mile and now at 70k miles. I'm assuming it was the orginial belt when i bought it and i haven't replaced it.

 

Either is fine. When I deleted my AC I put in a gatorback. Have had 0 issues and fully expect to have none. Also, one way to tell if the belt is worn too much is to use the guide on the tensioner. If the arrow is past the mark, you know it's too stretched.

 

I'll check it when I get off work. Thanks

 

When I got home I listened for any squeaking, nothing. This is with the engine warm. I will check again in the morning when it is cold again. Here is a pic of marker on the tensioner

 

Looks like its past the "wear" indicator slightly. From what I remember the bottom pointer should be inline with the upper indent or before it, not past like it is. So there is SLIGHT stretch on your belt.

 

gatorback is a great belt for our cars...ive been running one for about 4 years now and its worked like a dream and it was only 20 bucks as oppose to 60 for OEM

 

It was squeaking again this morning so I feel like I've reached my original belt's limits. I'm gonna pick up a gator belt and see if it solves the issue.

 

Put the Gator Back on this morning, silent upon initial start up. The wear indicator doesn't seem to have moved much with the new belt so I'm assuming the original was just starting to squeak because of age.

 

Check the pulley sometimes they seize up

 

I don't think it's seized up at all, just dont think the original was stretched out at all. Is this where the indicator should be for a new belt? It's running fine and no making a sound