So I started my 04 evo 8 up the other day and noticed a very slight "squeaking/ticking" noise. It was so quiet that I only noticed it because I drove through a alley way and the sound bounced off the walls. I put my ear up to the engine and squeaking came louder from the passenger side wheel. The sound also wasn't very consistant. Not like thud,thud,thud etc.

So I went and bought some belt conditioner thinking that it was a noisy belt. I sprayed the belt/pulleys and the noise esclated from a squeak to a constant squeal heard while idleing, driving and is rev-dependent. I'm concerned about the initial issue, but I am also concerned that the sprayed on belt dressing got into one of the pulley bearings and is why the sound got much worse. I heard that contrary to popular belief belt conditioner isn't good for the serpentine belt. So a couple of questions.

1 what do you think the problem is? Pulley? Belt? Pump of some sort?
2 is there anyway to undo the damage or prevent the damage to the pulleys that is/is going to be caused by the conditioner? Can I pour water or something to fix it?

Notes:
49.9k miles
Water pump/belt was replaced 10k ish ago.

Any helped would be greatly appreciated, I do have an appointmet with a local non tuning shop to take a look at it this weekend, as I'm kinda too scared to drive an hour to cbrd.

 

I would check the tension on the serpentine belt. Also extreme psi sells the tensioner tool for cheap too. It could just be squealing because it is cold outside and the belt has not warmed up yet.

 

Did you use a factory belt when you replaced it?

 

The conditioner isn't going to get into the bearings. The bearings are sealed. What the conditioner probably did is lubricate the belt allowing it to slip more and hence make more noise. Don't use water. Probably the fix for this is a new belt.

With the belt off check all the pulleys to see that they are turning freely. If everything looks good but the new belt still makes noise, try a new tensioner.