Sorry for the delay. While I don't like to admit it, my PS tank was empty, I am not sure where all my PS fluid has gone but I honestly can't remember the last time I topped off all my fluids, or if I have ever even checked the tank since I bought it.

So I added fluid, the PS seems to be working 100% fine now, but I imagine the lack of fluid might have caused something to damage, to cause the noise?

Since my van is only worth $1k tops, I want to try to eliminate the noise for as cheap as possible. Should I start with the belt, or just pay a $60 diagnostic fee and figure out what the actual problem is somewhere?

 

Considering a new serpentine is around $25 I would start there first. If that doesn't solve the noise, then have it looked at. Try another shop as many small shops around here charge nothing for diagnostics.

 

That's what I was leaning towards as well. Are they easy to replace, I won't lie I have never replaced a belt before. I assume I release the tension, replace belt, and tighten the tension back to where it was? I read a lot of people on here talking about the belts slipping off constantly, so I just don't want to screw it up.

I called around to a few shops and they all charge 1 hour of labor for diagnostic, I might need to call around some more and see if I can find somewhere free. I am going to replace the belt and go from there.

 

15MM socket on the tensioner, roll it towards the firewall, take the belt off. Put the new one around everything except alternator, roll tensioner back again, slip belt over alternator, release tensioner, done.

 

Awesome, that sounds easy enough. I am going to knock this out on Saturday.