ok i'm new so bear with me. i just purchased a 1998 blazer 4 wheel drive for my son. it came with a squeaking noise under the hood but i have about 3 or 4 months to work on it before my son gets his license. i first suspected the tensioner pulley 'cause it sounded like that's where the noise was coming from so i changed that & still had the noise. long story short this is what i've done so far: replaced the idler pulley, tensioner pulley (not the tensioner itself), alternator (went with new) and water pump(went with reman). thought i had it solved with the water pump but noise returned shortly. also, i checked pulley alignment with strraight edge and all appeared kosher. i recall an earlier comment about how the power steering pump pulley should have some ersistance to turning but mine spins pretty freely. also has slight (1 - 2 mm fore to aft play). any suggestions before i tackle a power steering pump job?

 

Does your power steering work? If so, then the pump is doing its job.

Since you have not replaced the belt yet, do so. That typically is the first step rather than the last.

 

When you do the belt also replace the tensioner itself.

 

My power steering pump was making some noise, simple power steering fluid did the trick. Top it off and see if it helps, you may have a leak.

 

thanks for the advice guys. i've got a new belt & tensioner & will get back with the results. btw, p.s. pump doing it's job

 

ok, just put on new tensioner & belt and now runs as quiet as a church mouse. thanks again! p.s. nobody ever accused ma of being a mechanic, ha-ha. p.p.s. i love this site & will be picking your brains in the future while i do some more work to my sons truck.

 

Good deal! Glad it all worked out!!

 

Yes, I like success stories too!