Strange Squeal in '01 Chevy Tracker

If you can get it to make the noise while it's not moving, use a length of plastic tubing or water hose as stethoscope.

If it only makes the noise while it's moving, you'll need a friend to ride along with you.

Hey, I'm not falling for that one again and have to ride in the engine compartment!

Spray a little lubricant around the bearings of each device the belt drives until it stops. The last one sprayed is the culprit.

A method I have used with some amount of success. First eliminate belt noise using a bar of hard hand soap; rubbing it on all the accessable portions of belt (the sides that make contact with pully grooves). Run the engine to distribute the soap. The soap won't harm the belts but should quieten them. If you still hear the squeal/chirp find a long thin screwdriver to use as a stethoscope. With the engine running you can (and this part is somewhat dangerous; if you're squeamish take it to a profesional) insert the screwdriver between belts pullys etc to place the tip on the bearing housings (or as near as possible). Then put your ear to the handle end of the screwdriver. It takes a trained ear to distinguish between normal and abnormal noise but if it's bad enough you should be able to tell the difference.

I hope this helps. Please note: This type of exam takes a steady hand and nerves. If you are at all unsure of yourself take it to someone who gets paid to do it. Hopefully you don't get some parts replacer posing as a mechanic.

...Also wear a T-shirt or similar. Don't wear a necktie, scarf, kaftan, fancy bracelet etc. etc.

Same applies for tube and screwdriver methods.

Hi, Like you I had squeel on a Range Rover and just like you thought it was a belt or a worn pulley letting the belt run on the inner section rather than the angled drive faces, changed all the belts, did the soap trick, oiled every moving part all to no avail.

When we later had a problem with the transmission we found the culprit. Where the gear box first motion shaft mated with the fly wheel there is a phosphor bronze bush which should be oil impregnated mine was as dry as a bone new bush solved the problem. The noise of course was intermitent in that we only had the squeek when the fly wheel and transmission rotated at differnet speeds.

Good Luck

Without looking at it, if the belt isn't bad what I'd suggest is to check the idler pulley first either the bearing and/or the tension spring. It's usally the first to go. If the water pump bushing is bad the clearances will increase, the seal wear out and it should leak.

If the belt is end of life change it and the idler pulley at the same time....a very good pratice to prevent future problems.

A cop once told me you can't get a speeding ticket in one of those things. If you do exceed the limit, they applaud.

Just take a short piece of garden hose or whatever and stick one end down where noise is coming from other end in your ear. You should have no trouble locating where noise is being generated.

While I can't tell you with 100% certainty what the culprit is, I can tell you that if the belt is in good condition, 90% of the time, from my experience (I too own a '01 Chevy Tracker) its the alternator. Im guessing your car probably squeals at idle/low speed and as you get the RPM's up it disappears, correct?

You should also check your belt tension. Check your manual for a belt deflection spec, that is, how far you should be able to move the belt in and out under proper tension.

I have owned two Trackers and two Suzuki Sidekicks before that. Everyone of them had that same squealing noise intermittently. I've had belts replaced, and an under warrenty replacement of a belt bracket. Still, the problems reoccur especially on cold damp mornings. After warmup, the noise goes away. I wouldn't worry about it, as it never led to any breakdown issues.