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Squealing Noise from Engine Bay on 2020 Acadia - Serpentine Belt?

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 2:40 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 GMC Acadia SLT

Hi everyone,

I've got a 2020 GMC Acadia SLT with the 3.6L V6 engine, just hit around 55,000 miles. For the past few weeks, I've been hearing a distinct squealing noise coming from the engine bay, especially when I first start it up in the morning or when it's damp outside. It sometimes goes away after a few minutes of driving, but it's starting to get more consistent.

I'm thinking it might be the serpentine belt, but I'm not entirely sure. Is this a common issue for Acadia models of this year? What should I be looking for to confirm it's the belt, and is this a DIY job or something best left to a mechanic? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 2:40 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

A squealing noise from the engine bay, especially on startup or in damp conditions, is a classic symptom of a worn or misaligned serpentine belt. Given your 2020 GMC Acadia is at 55,000 miles, it's definitely a good time to inspect it.

Causes & Diagnostics:

  1. Worn Belt: The rubber of the belt can harden, crack, or become glazed over time, losing its grip on the pulleys.
  2. Tensioner Pulley: The automatic belt tensioner can weaken, not providing enough tension, or its pulley bearing can go bad.
  3. Idler Pulley: Similar to the tensioner, idler pulleys can develop worn bearings.
  4. Accessory Pulley: Issues with an alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor, or water pump pulley bearing can also cause noise.

DIY Maintenance Steps (Inspection & Replacement):

  1. Visual Inspection: With the engine off and cool, carefully inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, fraying, glazing (shiny appearance), or missing ribs. Also, check for any wobble in the pulleys.
  2. Belt Diagram: Locate the belt routing diagram, usually found under the hood, to understand how the belt is routed and which way the tensioner moves.
  3. Relieve Tension: Use a serpentine belt tool or a wrench (size varies by vehicle) to rotate the tensioner pulley, relieving tension on the belt. Carefully remove the old belt.
  4. Inspect Pulleys: While the belt is off, manually spin each pulley (alternator, water pump, AC, idlers, tensioner). They should spin freely with no grinding or excessive play. Any rough-spinning or noisy pulley indicates a bad bearing.
  5. Install New Belt: Route the new belt according to the diagram, ensuring it's properly seated on all pulleys before releasing the tensioner.

When to See a Shop:

  • Difficulty Accessing: If the belt is difficult to access or you're uncomfortable working in the engine bay.
  • Persistent Noise: If the squealing continues after replacing the belt, it indicates an issue with one of the pulleys or an accessory component, which a professional can diagnose with specialized tools (like a stethoscope) to pinpoint the source of the noise.
  • Other Symptoms: If you notice other issues like dimming lights (alternator), steering difficulty (power steering), or overheating (water pump), these could indicate a failing accessory driven by the belt.
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