Well, it will be off to the car-docs again for Lola. This time it sounds like a bearing or pulley squealing ... upon acceleration .... seems to go away when the engine's been running awhile .... pretty embarrassing until that happens. :cuss

Anyone else with this one???

RA

LOLA'S MOM,

I think that HOMEGAMEROOM suffered the same ailment. You can read about it at:

http://www.xlrforum.com/showthread.php?t=2623&highlight=pulley

He had the noise coming from the "idler pulley."

Hope you don't have the wait he did in getting the part.

Later,

XLR KEN

Sure sounds like the same ailment .... both 2004's too. :banghead :banghead

It WAS fixed, but is squealing again!:banghead :banghead :banghead

I was told it was because the early Northstars had improper alignment on the idler pulley for one of the engine accessories (alternator?). The new one was supposed to cure it. It did for a while, but it is squealing again.

I also have the dreaded front end groan.

I'm saving these issues up when I take it to a DIFFERENT dealer for repairs; when my present dealer replaced the brains for the keyless entry, the "brain' was only fastened with 1 screw. It made obvious thunking noises every time I hit a bump. :cry I wound up taking the dashboard apart and fixing it myself since I was headed on a long road trip and didn't want to lose my mind listening to the rattle.

It was the alignment of the a/c compressor on '04s. You could have a coolant leak that is getting on the belt.

Bruce :)

Well, in the shop now a 3rd time trying to find out where this belt/pulley/tensioner or whatever noise is coming from so sporadically .... today it was doing it again - and it only happens when we accelerate .... Aha! So I headed right for the dealership .... 3 blocks from it, the noise disappeared .... they let the engine cool and started it up .... to no avail ... I feel so sorry for my tech. Anyway .... he just ordered a "balancer" (?) - I have no idea what that is .... he said it was the only thing he could possibly think of ... We are both doing this :banghead :banghead

RA

Only happens when you accelerate? Well, obviously - you need to knock that crap off!!! :glol

Only happens when you accelerate? Well, obviously - you need to knock that crap off!!! :glol

Yeah, I'll tell Ray you said so! :jester

RA

RA, I worked for thirty years at a Goodyear industrial products plant. We made (make) poly-vee belts like the ones on our cars (and every other car made). I remember engineers talking that when a belt starts making noises it usually one if two things wrong. The pulleys are mis-aligned, makeing the belt not following into the "Vee's" (pulley grooves) straight. Or, the tensioner pulley spring is weak, not holding the belt tight into the pulley grooves.

Hope it might help,,,, my .02 cents!

Chad

Thanks, Chad ... it is very helpful, as you are affirming the very same information that Bruce (Cadillac Tech) gave me .... and I passed on to my tech. But, he said that he has checked the belts .... I don't know if that includes checking the pulleys and tensioners ... must have, because he is ordering the new balancer ... It is a very annoying problem ... When no one can find out what exactly IS wrong, it makes us question our road trips. We do not want to breakdown in the middle of nowhere .... :eek

RA

I'd be surprised if it is the balancer, but hey - been surprised before.

I had the exact same problem. The sound used to stay even when the engine reached 105 c but it would disappear after driving for at least 6 minutes. The "EXPERTS" here changed the AC belt(I never knew that the AC had a belt). Honestly, until now i dont know wtf the dealership was talking about. It disappeared since then. I know how frustrating this is.
Good luck !
Well, it will be off to the car-docs again for Lola. This time it sounds like a bearing or pulley squealing ... upon acceleration .... seems to go away when the engine's been running awhile .... pretty embarrassing until that happens. :cuss

Anyone else with this one???

RA

makeing the belt not following into the "Vee's" (pulley grooves) straight. Or, the tensioner pulley spring is weak, not holding the belt tight into the pulley grooves

i agree on this mostly 85% is due to belt missdissplacement...all you need to check the tension of it and make sure its on Vee's pully grooves straight..

but changing the belt is only if you see any defects or it reached the max Miles which is allowed 2 ..


urs,

Hamad

New belt,, but with a bad tensioner,,, will still "squeak"

True :)

Haven't you Dubians got enough money for the oil you have so you can finish your city and islands yet. The oil cartel should be up before a tribunal of lawyers and sued for what they have done to this world economy.True :)

Haven't you Dubians got enough money for the oil you have so you can finish your city and islands yet. The oil cartel should be up before a tribunal of lawyers and sued for what they have done to this world economy.

Ooooooooooo, easy, Bobbbbbbbo!!!!

It isn't all their fault--the Futures traders (of which I'm one) have absolutely helped to push oil to where it is today. It started out as a defensive mechanism, but has spirled out of control!

Some Americans are making huge amounts of $$$$$ because of this, sometimes we're our own worst enemies!!

Floyd

AMEN!!!!!!!! After all, we're paying the same for Alaskan or Gulf Crude oil!!!!! WHY?!?!?

Sorry Fraud, I thougt Mary Ann had all the brains in your family and as for you helping to put the oil where it is..................Shame on you.
BooooooooooooooooooooboOoooooooooo, easy, Bobbbbbbbo!!!!

It isn't all their fault--the Futures traders (of which I'm one) have absolutely helped to push oil to where it is today. It started out as a defensive mechanism, but has spirled out of control!

Some Americans are making huge amounts of $$$$$ because of this, sometimes we're our own worst enemies!!

Floyd

Sorry Fraud, I thougt Mary Ann had all the brains in your family and as for you helping to put the oil where it is..................Shame on you.
Boooooooooooooooooooobo

Sorry, but many people are doing it. . .

Floyd

She's home and resting comfortably in the garage ....

Diagnosis: Perform Bulletin 04-06-01-007
Align pulley - Install new belt DOC3148339

I think this might do it ... Thank you, Bruce for your help .... and thanks to GM for their personal interest .... and thanks to my tech Jeff who has been pretty diligent about this whole thing .... these phantom noises are a tough nut for the techs to crack.

But, guess what? BG - Here we come ..... time to Rock & Roll! :party

RA

A few painkillers might be in order now that the repairs are over- how about a nice bottle of wine.... and something for you too, Ruth Ann!:lol

Mine has been in the shop for the same problem- and a few other issues- since last week Tuesday. I MIGHT get it back by the end of this week. No big deal- the weather is kinda gray, cloudy, and rainy anyway.

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention - I thought I heard somebody say wine? :cheers

Yes ... refreshing to hear wine and not whine, isn't it? ;)

Rich ... I was so glad that they did this fix in a few hours .... usually the car is gone a day or so, and, as we all know .... running to and from service centers is pretty time consuming .... and you have to plan your day around the trips. This was GREAT SERVICE!

And every time I get Lola back, I am just thrilled to be back in the driver's seat ... it is such a mystery to me why this car has me so mesmerized .... every other car is just a car. I would never have put up with all of these problems, and never have with any of our other zillion cars .... I actually understand why owner's who have lemoned one have bought another one .... there's just something about them ...:skep :skep :skep

Now, who's got the wine?? :D

RA

Is there an echo in here??? I know I heard someone say wine and I am offically here alone. Passion Diva is out making money. Yeeeaaa.............mother's day is over!!!:glol :glol :glol

I used to be a lineman............now I'm a wineman,......... HickSorry, I wasn't paying attention - I thought I heard somebody say wine? :cheers

Hey Ruth, check your emailYes ... refreshing to hear wine and not whine, isn't it? ;)

Rich ... I was so glad that they did this fix in a few hours .... usually the car is gone a day or so, and, as we all know .... running to and from service centers is pretty time consuming .... and you have to plan your day around the trips. This was GREAT SERVICE!

And every time I get Lola back, I am just thrilled to be back in the driver's seat ... it is such a mystery to me why this car has me so mesmerized .... every other car is just a car. I would never have put up with all of these problems, and never have with any of our other zillion cars .... I actually understand why owner's who have lemoned one have bought another one .... there's just something about them ...:skep :skep :skep

Now, who's got the wine?? :D

RA

I got my fomerly squeaky car back on Friday- she squeaks no more!!!

The tech did the pulley alignment, and now everything's nice and quiet!!:thumbs

I also received a new wiper motor and wiper transmission and another (my 2nd) new remote receiver and new fobs. She's perfect, so far!

It took about 1 1/2 weeks for the parts to arrive - when I got her back, she was DIRTY!! No problem- that's what weekends are for! I cleaned and detailed inside and out, did the clay bar thing Bruce recommended (I used Mother's brand - what a great scent!!!!), for the paint then a fresh coat of wax. For those of you who have never tried to use a clay bar, TRY IT!!! It's EASY, and your paint will be smooth as a baby's bottom!!!!!!:yesnod

THANKS BRUCE!!!!! You rock, as always!:thumbs

Now we're ready for BGIII!!!!!!:party

I got my fomerly squeaky car back on Friday- she squeaks no more!!!

The tech did the pulley alignment, and now everything's nice and quiet!!:thumbs

I also received a new wiper motor and wiper transmission and another (my 2nd) new remote receiver and new fobs. She's perfect, so far!

It took about 1 1/2 weeks for the parts to arrive - when I got her back, she was DIRTY!! No problem- that's what weekends are for! I cleaned and detailed inside and out, did the clay bar thing Bruce recommended (I used Mother's brand - what a great scent!!!!), for the paint then a fresh coat of wax. For those of you who have never tried to use a clay bar, TRY IT!!! It's EASY, and your paint will be smooth as a baby's bottom!!!!!!:yesnod

THANKS BRUCE!!!!! You rock, as always!:thumbs

Now we're ready for BGIII!!!!!!:party

Rich,

Funny you should mention that--I did mine this weekend also!! I'm planning on bringing it along to RIII to help get the bugs off when we get there:lol :lol

See you in a couple of weeks!!

Cubby558:cool

Rich,

I'm glad the clay bar worked out for you...I think it is the best thing for paint. It is amazing how good the car feels afterwards. See you in a couple of weeks.

Bruce:)

I got my fomerly squeaky car back on Friday- she squeaks no more!!!

The tech did the pulley alignment, and now everything's nice and quiet!!:thumbs

I also received a new wiper motor and wiper transmission and another (my 2nd) new remote receiver and new fobs. She's perfect, so far!

It took about 1 1/2 weeks for the parts to arrive - when I got her back, she was DIRTY!! No problem- that's what weekends are for! I cleaned and detailed inside and out, did the clay bar thing Bruce recommended (I used Mother's brand - what a great scent!!!!), for the paint then a fresh coat of wax. For those of you who have never tried to use a clay bar, TRY IT!!! It's EASY, and your paint will be smooth as a baby's bottom!!!!!!:yesnod

THANKS BRUCE!!!!! You rock, as always!:thumbs

Now we're ready for BGIII!!!!!!:party
Rich,

Your post was the first time I had heard about the clay bar and it's purpose. I have now done my internet research and have discovered a whole new world of car care. Some of the sites found have excellent video of the clay bar method of use and today I went shopping for my own. It appears to be the very thing I've been looking for. I can't wait for the weekend to start doing my detailing in preparation of RIII.

I don't know why there's not a dedicated thread related to CLAY BAR use. I think members of the XLRFORUM would be very interested. Anything that cares for and beautifies an XLR is great. I personally would be interested in how affective people have found it and how many even knew about its existance.

XLR KEN

The clay bar is a GREAT detailer's tool!

True, it's existence and use may not be well known to the general car-cleaning crowd, but Vette owners have used clay for years. Actually, there is plenty of info on clay on any Vette site.

Great stuff!

But, very important, should you drop it and it hits the ground THROW IT AWAY!!! :yesnod

Floyd

I'm sure Detail Guy is very familiar with the stuff!!

You're right --clay bars are the way to go. If you want your car's paint to feel as smooth as the day you first picked it up, an afternoon invested with a clay bar is time well spent. I first learned about Zaino car care products from the rabid car cleaners over at the Vette forum. Here's a link with their instructions:

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-18

--- There will always be a debate about whose car care products are better, so I won't even go there. From my own experience, Zaino products cost a little more, but they last longer than anything else I've ever used. I do the "whole afternoon shine" routine once a year and the car looks great. After a wash, I'll spray a little gloss enhancer on the finish, and it looks showroom new.

--- Another car care tip worth considering: The use of microfiber towels can't be overemphasized when removing polish from your car. With a silver color, you might get away with it, but black is most unforgiving.

--- For you V owners with Brembo brakes, this may apply to you as well; My CTS-V sheds brake dust like volunteers with industrial-grade dandruff at the Head & Shoulders Research Facility. I apply a product called RejeX to the wheel rims and the dust build-up is dramatically reduced. The Army uses RejeX on their helicopters to reduce exhaust particle build-up, which saves maintenance time (ie: tax-payer $$$) It's recommended as a car polish, but I use it only on the wheels, so I can't vouch for it as a polish.

Cheers,

CC :cheers

The clay bar is a GREAT detailer's tool!

True, it's existence and use may not be well known to the general car-cleaning crowd, but Vette owners have used clay for years. Actually, there is plenty of info on clay on any Vette site.

Great stuff!

But, very important, should you drop it and it hits the ground THROW IT AWAY!!! :yesnod

Floyd

I'm sure Detail Guy is very familiar with the stuff!!

Uh-huh ..... Ray has used the clay for a number of years. I remember when we first tried to find the clay the only place we finally found it was at Pep Boys ... Now it is sold in almost every auto department.

I'm sure there will be a lot of detail talk down in the parking lot at BG ... and we will see the results of all of your hard work at the Park N Shine .... now, that is something to see! :thumbs

RA

I really wish I'd known of the clay bar years ago- it would have saved me lots of fruitless time and energy trying to make my paint smooth again.

Bruce said it got rid of the "rail dust" that settles on cars (don't ask me what I had for dinner last night, but I commit everything Bruce says to memory about cars!!). Rail dust referred to the dust that would settle on cars when shipped by rail; it can manifest itself as little spots that look like rust on the cars' finish. Of course, these spots (on older cars) are from general road dust as well as brake rotor wear etc.

It was my first time with the clay bar, so I used the spray liberally. And for the $17 cost of the kit, I'll probably just buy a new kit whenever I do it again rather than try to reuse the clay bar and risk scratching the finish. I drove the X today, and I marvel at how great the paint feels!!!

And Galen introduced me to Microfiber towels- I'll never go back to cotton again!! These forum mebers are great!!!!! I'll miss Galen at RIII - he cleaned my car after the lawn sprinklers sprinkled all over it!:(

The RejeX product as mentioned above is good stuff, but you can save the $15. and use the Zaino product (Z-2, Z-5) that you use on the car itself. That way the car is totally "Zainoized."

Floyd

Also you can used the clay bar on your windows. I used this on my front window often to remove the road grime. Works well.

Sully