Unusual Belt Noise - Toyota Camry 3.5L V6

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Have a strange belt noise issue.

Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Camry, 3.5L 2GR-FE V6

Mileage: 62,000

The vehicle has the original serpentine belt (no cracks, no dry-rotting, wear appears acceptable). Based on the VIN cut-off, the vehicle already has the updated pulleys and washers as outlined in TSIB#0385-08.

Issue: During cold start-up, there is noticeable belt-squeal when you place the car into “Reverse.” The noise does NOT occur at idle (in Park), nor does occur when the car is shifted into drive.

If you turn the A/C on while the car is in Reverse, the noise reduces or goes away completely. If the RPM is increased, the noise goes away.

You cannot duplicate the noise once the engine has been warmed up.

I am really puzzled on this one. The symptoms are not typical of a worn pulley, belt or tensioner. The only possibility left would be the alternator decoupler pulley.

What do you guys think?
 
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Critic you asked this in the last thread and I think you got at least more than 3 ppl say new belt.

It seems like you're trying to fish for a more complex answer than the obvious.

Why don't you just try it? Any other more complex diagnosis is going to be more expensive than new belt.

If you're worried about wasting money get the belt locally from a place with a generous return policy even though it maybe grey ethically. (Youll have to lie and say you never installed it)
 
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Remove the belt, clean the ribbed side of the belt and all of the pulleys with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Spin all of the pulleys while the belt is off to check for noise. Install the belt and test drive it.

The symptoms are EXACTLY typical of a worn pulley, belt or tensioner.

Are you a professional mechanic, is this a pay job, or are you doing this as a favor?
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Start it up without the belt on and put it in reverse.


What's the point of doing that?
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Start it up without the belt on and put it in reverse.


What's the point of doing that?


By disconnecting the Belt, you take it and everything it's driving out of the equation as the noise source

Process of elimination
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Have a strange belt noise issue.


Issue: During cold start-up, there is noticeable belt-squeal when you place the car into “Reverse.”


He knows it's the belt, a tensioner or belt driven accessory. I don't see how running the car with the belt off helps diagnose the problem.

Let's play pretend - OP takes belt off, starts car, puts it in reverse and no noise. What now?
 
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Let's play pretend - OP takes belt off, starts car, puts it in reverse and no noise. What now?


Buy new belt.
 
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Let's play pretend - OP takes belt off, starts car, puts it in reverse and no noise. What now?


Buy new belt.


I still fail to see the logic in running it without the belt on when OP already knows it's a belt noise but okay...
 
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Its a 7 year old belt, start with the simple stuff first replace it.

Yeah...even if it isn't the belt, you can justify the expense as maintenance for the next 7+ years.
 
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When you take off the old belt, you inspect all the pulleys for free play, end play, noise, ..... no point in installing an old belt. Remove old, inspect everything, reinstall new. Its not a blind R&R so common nowadays.

Critic, why are you puzzled by an ol' belt? Just replace it.
Now, if the brand new name brand belt squeals, and nothing driven by the belt is inspected worn/loose/broken, then be puzzled.
 
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