Squealing and can't find what it is...
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 546
Likes: 3
From: Northeast TN
Squealing and can't find what it is... Hey all,
I have a problem with a squeal when I start my car and its completely a cold start. Like in the mornings or something. I have been experiencing this for a little while, and had a water pump go bad on me as well as a p/s leak. Well, I changed the p/s pump, reservoir, and water pump, and still hear this squeal. It does it from time of start up (only on cold starts) till it reaches normal operating temp. Then it will not do it again until the car has sit long enough to completely cool off. If I stop and eat, or go watch a movie, I can come out and start it and its fine. What could this be? I do know that the water pump was leaking pretty bad thru the weep hole and was running down onto the A/C pump. Could this be whats making all the noise? Or could it just be the belts? It really doesn't sound like a belt squeal. Thanks for all info.
I have a problem with a squeal when I start my car and its completely a cold start. Like in the mornings or something. I have been experiencing this for a little while, and had a water pump go bad on me as well as a p/s leak. Well, I changed the p/s pump, reservoir, and water pump, and still hear this squeal. It does it from time of start up (only on cold starts) till it reaches normal operating temp. Then it will not do it again until the car has sit long enough to completely cool off. If I stop and eat, or go watch a movie, I can come out and start it and its fine. What could this be? I do know that the water pump was leaking pretty bad thru the weep hole and was running down onto the A/C pump. Could this be whats making all the noise? Or could it just be the belts? It really doesn't sound like a belt squeal. Thanks for all info.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Just This Side of Damnation
I fixed my squeal by replacing the idler pulley. It was real cheap and probably the easiest thing you do other than replacing your air filter.
See if you can access this page for more information on the pulley.
I took my serp belt off and started the motor and there was no squeal. The idler and tensioner pulleys didn't squeal when turned by hand, but I bought one of each and changed them one at a time to see which one it was. It was the idler pulley.
You COULD repack the bearing if you want. On mine the bearings were sealed by plastic covers that were easily removed by a very small screwdriver.
Hope this helps...
See if you can access this page for more information on the pulley.
I took my serp belt off and started the motor and there was no squeal. The idler and tensioner pulleys didn't squeal when turned by hand, but I bought one of each and changed them one at a time to see which one it was. It was the idler pulley.
You COULD repack the bearing if you want. On mine the bearings were sealed by plastic covers that were easily removed by a very small screwdriver.
Hope this helps...
Last edited by Mr Incredible; Jun 13, 2005 at 08:19 AM.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 546
Likes: 3
From: Northeast TN
Thanks guys. I will try removing the belt and seeing if it goes away. I have not replaced the belts and the car has 117K miles on it, so they have had time to soak all that antifreeze in good 
. I also was going to try spraying a little belt dressing onto them and see if that helps.
. I also was going to try spraying a little belt dressing onto them and see if that helps. My car does that too , I just never thought twice about it because my formula is still 10x less squeaky than my old car (88 olds pos). I think I'll pick up one of those too cuz you kinda lose the coolness of a muscle car if its squeaking like a 20 yr old civic
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 546
Likes: 3
From: Northeast TN
LOL, I hear you there, LUNA! There is nothing more embarassing than walking to your car and seeing other people walking and looking at it saying "Wow, thats a nice ride" or something like that. You start walking all proud and stuff, then get in and start it up. All you hear is SQUEALLLLLLLLLLLL 
. That sucks, man!
. That sucks, man! Last edited by wickedbird00; Jun 14, 2005 at 10:12 AM.
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I found that my A/C tensioner was doing the squeeling on mine . I went to the dealer and bought a new tensioner and idler pulley . What I found out is that the pulley on the tensioner is the same pulley as the idler pulley . Its about $50 bucks cheaper too . So if the only problem is is a squeeling A/C tensioner pulley , get the idler pulley and put that on the tensioner and youll have about $50 more in your pocket .
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