I noticed a creaking type sound coming from the front passenger side, sounded like the belts or the pulley. I looked at it with the hood open. The metal looking pulley right next to the alternator is not spinning perfectly, like it seems like it has some play in it, the bolt with a plate around it directly above it is NOT touching the metal pulley, when I sprayed some belt dressing it made the noise completely go away but it keeps coming back. What can it be? Thanks.

 

Does it screech when you start up or does it creak all the time

Assuming it screeches, it's either knackered or loose.
If the belts more than 3years old, it's knackered. If the tensioner is more than 7yrs old, it's probly knackered too.

1mm or so wobble in the tensioner is manufacturing tolerance (my new tensioner wobbles a bit) but more than this is probly a sign it's on the way out.

 

It doesn't screech, spraying a lot of belt dressing on the tensioner right next to the alternator makes the noise go away for about 30 seconds. Its more of a creak as opposed to a high pitched squeel.

 

Hmm. Well you can tighten it up a bit and that'll either fix it or accelerate it's demise.

It probly is the tensioner on the way out. If you can't remember when it was last changed then thats probly it. Simple job but the part ain't exactly cheap. I think mine cost around $40.

 

i have about the same problem i just recently changed the belt and the tensioner just recently because i had nooise erlier and now when i start it after letting it cool down it makes noise. i have not put the grease stuff on their yet

 

Replaced tensioner and serpentine belt, wobble stopped, noise stopped, no noise with A/C on will check later when car is cold to see if there are any noises.

 

Tensioner could have been loose as well. It has one bearing inside. You can remove it from the engine housing by loosening 3 bolts. You can then disassemble it an inspect for wobble, squeals. It is easy to put on and take off and may be fixable if the bearing is still good.