Serpantine belt

Last week I pulled a large RV trailer from Michoacan to Sayulita and about 50 miles before we arrived this chirping started and it has gotten worse. I have a Serpantine belt on my truck and my Internet searches indicate that might be where the sound is coming from. Ron checked everything out just before I left and the belt looks like it is in good shape and is not loose. The sound gets louder and faster when I press the accelerator even if it is not moving.
I am going to take it to a mechanic before we leave to take this trailer to Barra de Navidad where it will stay forever.
So what else might this " chirp" be, if not that belt? I read something about bearings or something, do they go just like that? I would just like to heAr some thoughts from the experts on this, I don't like going in blind.Thanks!

It could be a bearing in the alternator, power steering pump or AC pump (all driven by the serpentine belt). If it does it when it is idling they should be able to use a stethoscope to narrow it down. It could also actually be the belt too. If you can easily reach the belt (safely) while it is idling you could try burning a bar of hand soap (or paraffin wax) on the inside of the belt to see if the chirp disappears.

Ok bob , I read something about doing that ...if the sound disappears when i do that, does that mean it is not the Serpantine belt making the noise?

No, if the sound disappears then it was the belt and sometimes that is all it needed. Problem solved.

Possibly the "Idlers" for the belt or Water Pump
You have to remove the belt to check . With the newer belts you have to turn the belt inside out & squeeze to look for damage, & then you may not be able to see. If the belt should disentigrate, you can ruin many componets, including radiator, etc AND on newer motors , possibly the valave train 0 BIG EXPENSE!
Serpentine belts should be replaced at proper mileages, and I always replace Idlers & water pump

Yep could be those too. I assumed her belt is "physically" OK as that is what her mechanic just told her.

Oh bloody hell...it's leaking coolant. I just saw it was low, got under there and I can see it dripping out. Oh crap. Well, maybe the coolant leak is blowing onto the Serpantine belt and making it chirp?
This is definitely an automotive 911 , right?

Yep, that could be your water pump leaking and also making that noise.

If they change the water pump get a new belt too and keep the old one for a emergency spare.

CanuckBob wrote:Yep, that could be your water pump leaking and also making that noise.

The fluid is greenish and feels oily.
I will be sure and ask for that belt back, I wouldn't have thought of that.
Crap.

It looks like the coolant tank is about empty now. Is it ok to put water in there to drive it a short distance to the mechanic or do I need to get some coolant?

No it is OK to just add water for a short drive. No problem at all. Just keep an eye on your temperature gauge and take an extra jug of water.

Stay away frpm Escalara & Tito in Riberas
I would ask someone that knows cars to go with you

Hoses also need to be checked

I am in Sayulita so I don't know anyone here but thank goodness for you guys...Trailrunner hooked me up with someone who got a mechanic out here where I am...didn't have to go anywhere!
Bob, you were right, it's the water pump and I'm glad you told me that because " water pump" would not have made any sense at all to me. But it was that liquid leaking onto the belt that made it chirp.
My mechanic has shriveled little legs and scuttles about like a crab but he has a whole taller in his van , a helper who does have legs and they seem to know what they are doing.
I really really appreciate you guys.

Our Inside Lakeside heroes do it again!!!!!!!!!!

If any of that green antifreeze is left on your driveway clean it up. Glycerin based antifreeze has a sweet taste that is attractive and quite deadly to pets and wildlife. Kidneys are destroyed and cannot be repaired. A truly horrible way for an animal to die.

George

Well the mechanic was sitting under the hood and younger mechanic that was helping him was under the truck undoing something and all this fluid gushed out and got all over his face and everything...I don't know if it was water or what because they were working on a dirt and grass area so I couldn't see the color. I rushed him over to the hose and he washed off, I offered him soap and a clean tshirt but he said no....I have worried about him all night. They will be back around 5:00 pm today to complete the job, I hope he's o.k.

ask for the old water pump just in case, to make sure they replaced it if that is what they said they did. inspect the hoses they replaced as well,if they did that. and yes keep the old belt as a spare and clean it off. if he got antifreeze all over himself i would worry about their competence. look while they run it,that nothing leaks

They have been showing me everything, the old parts , the new ones. They didn't think I needed the new belt of course but I went with it anyway. They showed me how loose and wobbly that fan things and Im like....ooh yeah, uh, that's terrible...bu I don't have a clue what that has to do with a pump. Maybe I'll look it up on utube, 
 For a lot of people , like my husband, you know it's time to replace it when its broken...and if it ain't broken, why fix it?  This is why the idea of buying a used Mexican plated car is something I don't even want to think about.

The guy that got gushed all over was the helper, the boss mechanic that has done everything but the grunt work is the guy with the shriveled legs. 
They are finishing up now, we will see!