BobbyT

I'm getting a brief (one second or so) squeal when I start the engine. I've taken the fan belt sensor out and lubed it. The sensor wheel turns freely with no roughness.

I've also replaced the alternator. I wanted to paint the fan and housing, and when I took it apart, I noticed a little play in the alternator shaft, so "while I was in there...". It made no change in the noise. All belts are properly tensioned and in good condition.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

johzev

BobbyT,

When I first acquired my car it was throwing some fault codes and had the squeal on start. Turned out that it had aftermarket belts on it and the v in the belt was shaped a little different than the oem belts. I had oem belts installed and problem was gone.

AOW162435

Air pump?


Andreas

BobbyT

Hi Johsev,
I should have put it in the initial post, but I've done the pulley update, and the belts are correct OEM with about 20,000 miles on them.

Hi Andreas,
How can I isolate and correct if it is the air pump?

chris walrod

might have to pull a shim as belts do loosen up a little after some time.

BobbyT

Thanks, Chris--tension checks okay with the Krikit gauge...

cosmic_993

bringing this back....

I have this issue. the squeal only happens when the motor is cold. no squeal when warmed up. Usually it needs to sit about a day or more before it will do it again. Only happens just after startup. Once the idle settles out. Initial start a slight higher idle, then a few seconds it drops, and squeal. sounds like bearing, not belts. belt tension seems ok, I dont have gauge. belt tension sensor thing is new at 65K ( now at 70K) also lubbed it but no change.

alt bearing or belts?

BobbyT

In my case the squeal was exactly at start-up, just when the starter would be disengaging. To better locate the cause of this squeal, I began disconnecting various items, such as engine bay blower, SAI blower, and then removing belts one at a time, starting the engine briefly after each change.
The squeal persisted even with all belts removed. I replaced the starter and the squeal was gone.

cosmic_993

ahh. good.

Mine is not a starter issue, the squeal is there once the engine is running.

Im going to try the remove belts check.

Amfab

I have the exact problem. Startup, then about 3-5 seconds later a squeal that lasts 1-2 seconds. Happens only when cold.
Removed a shim and it went away for 3 months. Its back.

cosmic_993

Ok heres my squeal...

this is a cold start, after two days sitting.

Start, idles high,

then dips, squeal...

then you hear smog pump start up

then idle settles.

I then "dogged" the engine to make it do it more...1st gear with the park brake on... and some more squeals.

once the car is warmed up, say after 10 min idle or a short drive, it doesnt do it.

Alternator bearings? Distro?

Fan hub bearing is new about 5000 mile ago, same with belt sensor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Z9y15R5lU

chris walrod

Looks like a loose fan belt.

cosmic_993

belt tensioned seemed ok with the "push' test, deflection about 1/4". the fan you can see slowing when I dog the engine.

does the fan pulley use the shims too? to tighten I take one out correct?

chris walrod

Yes, they both are adjusted by shims. You can see the fan 'wagon wheel' at the same time as the squeel can be heard.

IXLR8

Take the A/C belt off and start the car. No squeal...you found the problem, if squeal, continue to next step.

Take the alternator belt off and start the car. No squeal...you found the problem, if squeal, continue to next step.

Take the cooling fan belt off and start the car. No squeal...you found the problem, if squeal, continue to next step. Do not run it for more than 30 seconds from an ambient temperature condition.

Sell the car....just kidding.

Clean the pulleys with lacquer thinner to remove all oils. Wash the belts with a water-based degreaser. Tighten the belt to spec.