Has anyone heard of the Belt Tensioner having premature bearing
problems? I beleive mine is going bad. When the car is cold is here a squealing noise from the enigine. It isnt to bad yet but I want to fix it before it gets to bad.

 

Mine went bad, although I wouldn't call it premature, 156,000 miles on it.

The squeeling noise however could just be your belt. Check it for cracks and wear, it's cheaper to try and replace the belt first.

 

I just put a new Belt on!

 

Have you tried to localize the problem? I've seen alternators, power steering pumps, and A/C bearings all go in LT1s, so it might not be the tensioner.

 

Check your harmonic also...that turned out to be my problem. The rubber in the center was seperating.

 

Never waste your time putting on a serpentine belt and not replace the tensioner. I had a buddy that taught me a lesson. He replaced the belt and a defective alternator. 2 months later replaced another alternator. 4 months later another alternator. Turned out the tensioner was a problem. Due to a bad bearing, it would jump around not smooth operating at all. It appeared the jerking on the belt caused loading and unloading of the bearing in the alternator and wasted 3 before he realized what was causing it.

If it turns out your squeeling is from a pulley, that is very tough to find.