On cold startup I have a screeching coming from the front of my engine, you can hardly hear it when the radio is on when driving but its pretty noticable with the radio off. It lasts for about 4-5 minutes, maybe a little less and gets progressively quieter and gets louder with rpms until about 2,000 rpm where I really can't hear over the loudmouth. This started a few months after the cam install. I'm hoping it is the belt but does anybody think it is the water pump or oil pump? My temp never goes over 210* on the idiot gauge. Thanks.

 

Do you have any leaks? Or is this after it rains?

Are you running an AC or did you remove it?

I would check your belts for cracks, dont forget to look at the AC belt and tensioner/idler, look for rust. I usually get that screech after it rains or if I havent started the car in a long time (over a month) and its been exposed to the elements. Either way its probably nothing to worry about, check those things and post back up.

 

I think it might be one of your belts, Poss you got coolant on them doing the cam swap.. I'd try spraying water on them next time it is really loud and see if it stops for a bit. If so you can use a wire brush on them and some silicone emulsion to quiet them down. Or just put some new ones on...

 

I always have my car parked in my garage so I know it doesn't leak anything and I still have the a/c in my car but I never use it. Also I did put the underdrive pulley on at the same time as the cam and used what looked to be cheap belts so I hope it's just that. Thanks.

 

my guess is an idler. Probably the one on the tensioner or next to the alternator.

 

Or power steering pump.........

 

Could be the bearing in the A/C compressor clutch. You can try energizing and deenergizing the clutch coil to see if the sound changes. If not the next is as was mentioned and idler pulley bearing(fixed or spring loaded) or the water pump. Look for a leak out of the weep hole.

 

I've tried turning the a/c on since I first noticed it squealing to see if that would make the belt slip and get louder or if load on the compressor would cause it but it doesn't. The car only has 50k so I didn't think it was that either. I took the belts off today and it sounds like it's the alt pulley. Would this be because I have an underdrive pulley plus a 675rpm idle and the monsoon radio. I think the altinator has been trying too hard since the pulley install and it's starting to go. Anybody agree?

Is there any hidden PITA problems when pulling the altinator?

 

I am still betting the idler close to the alternator is the culprit. I doubt a smaller pulley would effect alternator bearing life.

 

Yep, try a little shot of silicone spray in the idler. Likely got dry. If not, check the belts.

 

sounds like the a/c compressor clutch,that is what mine was doing until i replaced it. try turning on the a/c and then off it the noise changes problem found,as previously stated.

 

Please read the thread guys, I said the a/c on/off does not change the sound and that I checked the pullies and the alternator is the only thing with a squeal. Not that loud but thats at no load and low rpm. I'll try some silicon spray on the alternator and idlers though.

 

try this. get a free sample of the FLuid Film, or go buy a can (great Stuff by the way) and with the car running go from pulley to pulley and shoot a small amount on the bearing surface of each pulley/moving part unitll the squeak damens, then go from there.

 

Ill put any money on the alternator.

 

mine does it too after rain. stops when it warms up.