Loud Squeal!!

[Tw1tCh]

I've have my car standing for about 3 months and just got her back on the road recently, and as soon as i fired it up it started squealing really loud like a belt slipping, so I shut it off checked the tension made some adjustments and started it up again, started squealing again but everything seemed to be spinning and no light on dash came on, even tried turned the heater, high beams and radio on to be sure alternator was charging. Now the squeal goes away after about 30 seconds and also squeals when accelerating from a stop. I changed the belts and checked tension regularly with no luck, when its too tight is squeals almost constantly. Any help or suggestions are appreciated, this is for a 2.0L Auto. Thanks.

[thekid]

I know you said everything was spinning, but sounds like something is seized and after sitting I'd bet either the Alternator or Water Pump. I know you likely ruled out the alternator, so check the WP.

[Tw1tCh]

I haven't had any temp issues while driving though. Could it be a bearing (if there are any) in the WP/Alt?

[thekid]

well, it could be seizing but freeing up (hence the noise going away), have you looked at all of the various pullies while it's still squeeling to see if any aren't moving/moving quickly

[Tw1tCh]

I could look at it in more detail but everything looked to be going smooth, I'm assuming I would have charging issues if the Alt pulley was slipping and temp issues if WP was bust, my power steering feels fine and I'd expect the squealing to start while turning, this only leaves the AC but thats turned off. I'm confused

[Tds]

Check if your belts need changing. Acessory, Power steering, and AC since the engine spins the belts regardless if they are on then one of your belts may be actually worn down. Just an option.

[Matjas23]

the alternator pulley was kind of warm man the other day so that may be the issue, can u spin the alternator pulley with your hand when the belt is not on ? to me it sounded like a bad bearing but I might be wrong.

do you have new belts on?

[Tw1tCh]

ya i can turn the alternator pulley when the belt is off, it spins freely, and i put a new belt in it as well.

[CrazyCaker]

WP bearings would be my guess. Have you ever replaced it? And your car might not be having heating issues because like thekid said it's freeing up sometimes, and then add to that the coldish weather we've had plus driving alone keeps the temps down.

[Tw1tCh]

Well its got 230k+ on it and I dont think the bearing has ever been replaced so i would make sense, what about a bearing in the alternator? is there one? and what's it take to diy a project like this?

[CrazyCaker]

Yes there are bearings in the alt... other wise the pulley wouldn't spin ;).

You would need to replace the entire WP (or alt).

[Tw1tCh]

Ahhh crap!! not exactly something I wanted to hear lol, Thanks for the help. Gonna rip em both out over the weekend and figure out which is the culprit here.

[Matjas23]

did ya fix it?

[Tw1tCh]

no not yet, didn't have the time, I was mostly busy with my wheel bearing. I should have it all done this weekend

[Matjas23]

^how did that work out?

[Tw1tCh]

hub centric bolt is a mother f@#$er

[Matjas23]

tell me about it , broke one of these yet ? i did lol
http://yahoo.shoptoit.ca/ss/media/7851000/7851189.jpg

[Tw1tCh]

HAHA! no I got a bigger one though and used a whole can of rust penetrant, and a frickin torch. got a pipe extension stood on the sucker and hammered the hell out of it till it gave way.

[CrazyCaker]

Air Impact FTW! With a good one you wouldn't have even broke a sweat.

[deagz]

I've got the same problem. Loud squealing when engine starts, goes away after 30 seconds. Returns temporarily after idling for some time. The water pump and timing belt have been changed with OEM parts last year. My car's at 230,000km, which is prime replacement time for alternators. I can feel the engine power bog down very slightly when the engine squeals. The lost power returns as soon as the squealing stops.

This very much sounds like an alternator issue. Are there any recommendations for reliable aftermarket alternators? Or should I just go with OEM.

[distr0]

I've got the same problem. Loud squealing when engine starts, goes away after 30 seconds. Returns temporarily after idling for some time. The water pump and timing belt have been changed with OEM parts last year. My car's at 230,000km, which is prime replacement time for alternators. I can feel the engine power bog down very slightly when the engine squeals. The lost power returns as soon as the squealing stops.

This very much sounds like an alternator issue. Are there any recommendations for reliable aftermarket alternators? Or should I just go with OEM.

ditto

its fracking horrible sounding

its def my alt belt, but its already tight as hell

[dead_cactus]

I've got the same problem. Loud squealing when engine starts, goes away after 30 seconds. Returns temporarily after idling for some time. The water pump and timing belt have been changed with OEM parts last year. My car's at 230,000km, which is prime replacement time for alternators. I can feel the engine power bog down very slightly when the engine squeals. The lost power returns as soon as the squealing stops.

This very much sounds like an alternator issue. Are there any recommendations for reliable aftermarket alternators? Or should I just go with OEM.

I had the same issue recently without the loss of power. I thought it was due to the Medieval pullies in the cooler weather but finally got around to checking the belts on Monday and it needed tightening, its been fine ever since.

[viper_707]

see i have a volt gage in my car and i've been watching it.. everytime my car squels (usually the first start of the day) the volts drop down to 12 or so and then when it stops u goes back up to 14. i'm guessing my alternater is sticking a little after sitting for a bit. belts are pretty tight.

[Tw1tCh]

thightening the belt in my case coused more squealing

[myprotege5]

in got the same thing as you guys just when i go from stop i dont get it i start my car in the am after then morning dew so i have never thought anything about it i have tightened the power stearing belt allready and its nice all i have to do it do the alt belt and i will check if its the alt by seeing if its seazed or not it really dosent any me that to much i just start and drive lol

[DuRWooD]

Alright, you need to know that if you've spun the belt a few times, the pulleys begin to get polished, and the belts glazed. Most of the time changing your belt will fix the problem, if not, you need to address the pulleys. Take some scotch brite to them. Should take care of your squeel, also you're going to need to change your new belt yet again sorry. If that doesn't fix it, there is a deeper problem. Alternator is easy to see if it's turning properly, water pump may be more difficult. Also, don't rule out the tensioner bearings if you've over tensioned the belt.

[distr0]

i removed my belt the other night... belt looked ok, alt spun freely.. WP had a bit of resistance but i think normal amount... put back together and haven;t heard a squeal since

[e2wJunglist]

I'm having the same issue as the weather gets colder it's gotten alot more consistent. When the squeeling happens (only when the engine is still cold), my Volt meter drops to 12v. as soon as it stops the volts shoot up to almost 16 then quickly back to 14ish.

My mechanic said my belts look fine but i'm sure they're glazed by now. Does the alternator spin freely if you test it by hand? I'm wondering if it's starting to seize.

[Tw1tCh]

Issue resolved! turns out my focus was on the wrong belt. I took the WP/AC belt off and took a good look at it, found that it was so glazed that it had a nice layer of glass in all the grooves lol. Replaced the belt and problem went away.

[CrazyCaker]

Thekid and I both suggested to check the WP the same day you started this thread... Oh well I guess you finally got around to it, glad to hear it's fixed.

[Tw1tCh]

Ya I checked it but didn't bother looking at the belt lol, i just assumed it would be good since it was only a couple months old but I just made an ass of myself instead lol.