Who has had issues with serpentine belts?

I have 83k miles on my 2018 Denali. Started in past couple weeks to get a constant squeaky sound that gets louder as I accelerate. Can hear it outside but much more noticeable in parking ramps where noise can reflect. Cannot really hear in cab unless music off, but can hear with windows down.

Has anyone had to replace their belts/pulleys this early on in the truck's life?

lbenson said:

I have 83k miles on my 2018 Denali. Started in past couple weeks to get a constant squeaky sound that gets louder as I accelerate. Can hear it outside but much more noticeable in parking ramps where noise can reflect. Cannot really hear in cab unless music off, but can hear with windows down.

Has anyone had to replace their belts/pulleys this early on in the truck's life?

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take the main belt off and spin stuff by hand, start the engine and see if noise is gone with main belt off.
if not then proceed to ac belt and vacuum pump
this will lead you to the source
and yes things fail 83k isn't exactly "early", my 18 only has 40k and water pump took a dump already

If that doesn't work, while the belt is off, clean the pulleys and grooves with brake cleaner and a toothbrush. No belt dressing, ever. Belt noise can be typical of these but the gatorback belts can be quiet. I'm sure you'll get recommendations for other quiet belts.

Yes I have had idler pulley and tensioner go bad around your milage on our old 2008 Escalade.
Started squeaking and got worse. Replaced them and no more noise.

Thrust said:

Yes I have had idler pulley and tensioner go bad around your milage on our old 2008 Escalade.
Started squeaking and got worse. Replaced them and no more noise.

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different platform, but could be the same thing, they have removed/moved things around on the L84's/L86's

Agreed

Doubeleive said:

take the main belt off and spin stuff by hand, start the engine and see if noise is gone with main belt off.
if not then proceed to ac belt and vacuum pump
this will lead you to the source
and yes things fail 83k isn't exactly "early", my 18 only has 40k and water pump took a dump already

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i have been looking and cant find any info, how do you remove the a/c and vacuum pump belts? i dont see any tensioners

rick1024 said:

i have been looking and cant find any info, how do you remove the a/c and vacuum pump belts? i dont see any tensioners

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it is a stretch belt, you will need the tool to remove and install it, lisle makes one and gm includes one with there belt if you order a specific one the tool is included, some p/n do not include the tool. the gm tool works better than the lisle.
**some people have done it by simply cutting off the old belt (super easy) and used a screw driver to push the new one on but that might be harder than it appears, i recomend using the belt tool to put the new one on.
in either case you need to remove the serpentine belt first, just release it and move the belt to the side to get ac belt on. that one is usually a 15mm right on the upper tensioner

vacuum pump belt I am not sure, it is likely a stretch belt also I haven't had any need to look at mine thus far but I am fairly sure it is just a stretch belt