1988 olds cutlass whining noise

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angel84elco

Apprentice
Jan 8, 2014
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Hello all so I replaced the water pump and all the belts since I was already there. So I’ve noticed a chirp or whine whenever I rev the engine or when the engine fires up. I tightened the alternator and still the chirp so then I decided to turn the wheel all the way to the left and right and I can hear the chirp again. I’m assuming it ends up being my power steering belt. So my question is easiest way to adjust it? And if I don’t touch it at all what can possibly happen? Thanks in advance
 

MrSony

Geezer
Nov 15, 2014
6,826
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Des Moines, Iowa
Don't touch it? Belt can fly off and break stuff. Alt. belt flew off once and knocked my lower radiator hose off. Made a big mess. Could be the PS belt. Do you have cogged belts or smooth? Smooth V belts don't stretch like cogged belts when tightened. The PS pump (at least mine anyway) has a nut on the back you loosen, as well as a few bolts (not the long ones that hold it to the engine) and a square hole for a half inch ratchet. Loosen the bolts, put the ratchet in the hole, make the pump taught (you'll figure out which way to have the ratchet set), and tighten. With cogged belts if there is any misalignment of the pulleys, they will chirp and eat themselves much faster than a smooth belt. I t doesn't happen often, but your PS pump could be going out. Take the belt off and see if the noise is still there. Your alternator could be going out as well, or the water pump. That's really all it could be. Most likely one of the belts though. Since the belts are new, if you fix the problem soon, you can still use the belts for a long time.
 
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Oct 14, 2008
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Melville,Saskatchewan
There is two 15mm head bolts to loosen behind the power steering pulley. I leave the bottom one loose and just use the top one for adjustments. Did you put all the spacers back in the right spots? Olds V8's can be a PIA with belt squealing and throwing belts if any spacers are missing or in the wrong place. I have found new belts need retightening up to 4 times, this is Dayco and Gates US made belts which are better quality. I actually buy belts that are two or more sizes smaller than stock. If I don't, I run out of adjustments and have squealing due to stretching.
 

TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
10,941
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Socialist NY
That's the squirrel in the cage.

You re making it work to hard!
 

angel84elco

Apprentice
Jan 8, 2014
94
78
18
Don't touch it? Belt can fly off and break stuff. Alt. belt flew off once and knocked my lower radiator hose off. Made a big mess. Could be the PS belt. Do you have cogged belts or smooth? Smooth V belts don't stretch like cogged belts when tightened. The PS pump (at least mine anyway) has a nut on the back you loosen, as well as a few bolts (not the long ones that hold it to the engine) and a square hole for a half inch ratchet. Loosen the bolts, put the ratchet in the hole, make the pump taught (you'll figure out which way to have the ratchet set), and tighten. With cogged belts if there is any misalignment of the pulleys, they will chirp and eat themselves much faster than a smooth belt. I t doesn't happen often, but your PS pump could be going out. Take the belt off and see if the noise is still there. Your alternator could be going out as well, or the water pump. That's really all it could be. Most likely one of the belts though. Since the belts are new, if you fix the problem soon, you can still use the belts for a long time.
They are gates cogged. Water pump was just replaced. Everything seems to be in place. I heard that power steering belt really needs to be tight or else she will squeal. So Ima check it out when I get time later
 

timo22

G-Body Guru
Sep 10, 2012
550
1,072
93
St. Louis,Mo
Reminds me of my brother when he had his 79 Malibu. He was always "hearing" things.
One day while test driving his car , I told him I figured out that incessant whine. It was coming from the passenger
seat! It took him awhile to figure it out.. timo22
 
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angel84elco

Apprentice
Jan 8, 2014
94
78
18
There is two 15mm head bolts to loosen behind the power steering pulley. I leave the bottom one loose and just use the top one for adjustments. Did you put all the spacers back in the right spots? Olds V8's can be a PIA with belt squealing and throwing belts if any spacers are missing or in the wrong place. I have found new belts need retightening up to 4 times, this is Dayco and Gates US made belts which are better quality. I actually buy belts that are two or more sizes smaller than stock. If I don't, I run out of adjustments and have squealing due to stretching.
I bought gates as well stock size though and as far as the bolts go is it the one that’s in the home of the actual pulley?
 
Oct 14, 2008
8,819
7,765
113
Melville,Saskatchewan
I bought gates as well stock size though and as far as the bolts go is it the one that’s in the home of the actual pulley?
You can see the bolt directly behind the the power steering pulley, if you look from up top.
 

pontiacgp

blank
Mar 31, 2006
29,270
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113
Kitchener, Ontario
Make sure the pulley is clean and does not have any rubber residue on it.
 
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