Chirpy noise engine - HSV GTS

[o.versteer]

Hello all,

Quick question, not sure if I should be worrying about this - recently my GTS has started "chirping" from the engine bay, most likely a squeaky belt or pulley or something (I know nothing about the actual, er, gubbins you see....).

So, given that the car runs fine with no power loss, lumpiness, or other stuff that's out of the ordinary, should I be bothered about this or should I have it looked at?

Thanks as always for any input.

[Island boy hsv]

You should have it looked at as soon as possible, if the problem has taken time to appear you may not have noticed any change in the way the car drives.

[Supersante]

On my GTS that type of noise turned out to be connected to the PAS pump. A bearing on the way out.

[hsvgtscoupe]

had similar on the coupe after bringing it to UK.. was one of the belt tensioners on the front of the engine.. it seemed to be worse when cold & only really noticed at low RPM. I got both tensioners in from Oz (not so expensive) and the chirping vanished for good.

[o.versteer]

hsvgtscoupe said:

had similar on the coupe after bringing it to UK.. was one of the belt tensioners on the front of the engine.. it seemed to be worse when cold & only really noticed at low RPM. I got both tensioners in from Oz (not so expensive) and the chirping vanished for good.

This is precisely it in a nutshell, I forgot to add that it's really only when cold and that it goes away when the engine is fully warmed up. Which again means I can't take it to anyonoe to look at as by the time I get there the noise will be gone Thanks anyway, that sounds like it could the culprit.

[v8nhh]

Sounds like tensioner/s to me ,simple simple job to change reckon you could save yourself a few quid and take unit off and get bearing changed at local bearing shop for fraction of price off new tensioner.
Note when removed mine and replaced with new found unit found bearing was cause, also worth noting is changing the two front belts- aux belt/air con and the PAS belt 10 min job total to change both on GTSR less than 30mins if you change the lot (x2 belts and x2 tensioners)
hope this helps

[M8LC N]

Will this be causing any loss of power?. Mine has been the same for ages, had the tensioner sorted as part of a service and its now doing it again. Exact same symptoms as described.....

[v8nhh]

M8LC N said:

Will this be causing any loss of power?. Mine has been the same for ages, had the tensioner sorted as part of a service and its now doing it again. Exact same symptoms as described.....

Not sure.
I found was more of a paranoia thing eg heard squeak then think power down etc..
Have a look at quality of tensioner it isn't exactly design/quality masterpiece , also most important check alignment of pulleys as if out could cause wear on these bearings,also check PAS pump is secure, mine came loose and went little bit out of alignment causing seal on pump to fail, very expensive for new pump ,but dirt cheap for new seal, speak to Roger at Monkfish he got me new seal. Belts could do with check to, squirt some WD40 on belt when engine running and if noise goes then Bobs your uncle belts will be cause, you can do same trick on tensioner bearing /pulley centre should help you find it

[M8LC N]

Thanks. Have tried belt slip stuff but it made no difference. Looks like a long round trip to Greens is on the cards........