I replaced all hoses, belts, and tensioners as well as the idler pulley on my 01 Suburban, 5.3L. The old belt with 130,000 miles on it didn't make a sound. I sprayed water on the belt and the squeal went away for a bit, but then returned. Supposedly if the belt stops squealing when water is applied directly to the belt the problem is with the belt, or so I have been told. I have replaced the new belt three times and all is quiet for a while, but the squeal comes back. After all the work I did on the vehicle, I'm hesitant to drive it for all the looks I get because of the annoying belt noise. I tried a belt treatment on the first new belt and the sound got worse...now what?

 

I have a recent very similar story to yours. I have a 2001 Yukon XL,125K. I'm a northerner who goes down south for 3 months. Got the truck all ready to go. I noticed a slight squeal from the belt. I put some belt dressing on which quieted it down. Headed out the New Years Eve morning. Made it about 70 miles. The belt snapped because the water pump froze. Had to be flat bedded home. Three days later back on the road. Made it down south with no issues. Mechanic said the water pump problem was partially caused by a worn tensioner. Had the water pump, tensioner, all belts thermostat and antifreeze replaced.......$580.

Tom

 

when you're replacing belts and pulleys, also check accessories (alternator, water pump, power steering) by hand to see if any are rough.
Also check that the pullies are all 'in a strait line'.. if you have one that's a few degrees off it can stress the system. use a yard stick or strait edge and make sure it all lines up. Had a friend's boat chasing belt failure after failure to find out the bracket holding the raw water pump was slightly bent!

 

put an oem belt on it. aftermarket belts are junk

 

Indeed so, but most people, go for the lowest prices everytime. GMpartsdirect.com has great prices on many things.

I just priced a serrpitine belt and GMpartsdirect. com which was 6 bucks cheaper then the out of stock A-Z crap at $21.99.

 

Sorry, Tech2; GM does not make its own belts, has no "belt factory". Manufacturers ALL contract such stuff out to Gates, Dayco, etc. Buy a good-quality belt, just not the "bargain brand"

 

when you buy a belt from the dealer...its a oem belt and they are much better quality than aftermarket crap you buy at a jobber.
worked at dealerships and independent shops...oem parts are a higher quality, better fitting, easier part to install cause they are made to gm engineering specs. does gm contract out to companies to make their parts...you bet.
its hard to know what brand is good...if you buy oem...rest assured it good.