Belt squeel, only when just starting up car though.

96gstdsm · 12-03-2006, 04:42 PM

My car makes a loud belt squeel when i start the car up after it has been sitting for a few hours or more. When i turn the steering wheel while still stationary it seems like it sometimes get's quieter or changes atleast. It usually goes away after about 1 or 2 minutes of letting the car warm up. Any ideas what this would be? Which belt to check or tighten first? Is it bad besides the abnoxious noise to leave it as is? I would assume so.

brute · 12-03-2006, 04:44 PM

Check the power steering belt and make sure it's tight. If it doesn't stop, try the alternator belt.

96gstdsm · 12-03-2006, 04:49 PM

Ok thanks alot. Is there a diagram that would show which belt that is? Have not done much work under the hood yet and don't want to tighten the wrong belt. Also is there a certain amount i should tighten them? How would i know what that amount is?

eboy0 · 12-03-2006, 05:26 PM

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/belts.htm
I use this every time, it's a very well/detailed guide.

96gstdsm · 12-03-2006, 05:34 PM

Alright thanks alot, i'll check it out tomorrow. Is it dangerious to leave in unfixed though? If it is the power steering belt would the worst that would happen is the power steering would be lost?

eboy0 · 12-03-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96gstdsm

Alright thanks alot, i'll check it out tomorrow. Is it dangerious to leave in unfixed though? If it is the power steering belt would the worst that would happen is the power steering would be lost?

If it's your power steering then yes, you'll lose your power steering.
If it's your alternator, then you'll just drain the battery.

Not too sure on this, a wiseman should confirm this, but it may also be your harmonic dampener.

Though personally I'd shoot for alternator(since that's what was squeaking for me).

andymoraitis · 12-03-2006, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eboy0

If it's your power steering then yes, you'll lose your power steering.
If it's your alternator, then you'll just drain the battery.

Not too sure on this, a wiseman should confirm this, but it may also be your harmonic dampener.

Though personally I'd shoot for alternator(since that's what was squeaking for me).

I'll confirm it for you and I'd like to add then when checking your harmonic balancer (crank pulley) line up a chalk mark or scribe the inside and outside diameter of the pulley on the same axis and then run the car to see if the marks line up. If not, it's separating. Also look for hairline cracks that would indicate that it needs replacement.

I need to give credit for the chalk mark idea to Defiant. I've tried it before and it works like a charm.

Good job eboy,

Andy

96gstdsm · 12-03-2006, 06:41 PM

Ok thanks alot for all the help. Hopefully i can do an easy diagnoses and fix. Never nice having a loud squeeking belt!

andymoraitis · 12-03-2006, 06:45 PM

I agree, it's pretty damn annoying when it happens all the time. While I recommend that you check the crank pulley, I would start by making sure your belts are tightened properly.

Squeak!

96gstdsm · 12-03-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andymoraitis

I agree, it's pretty damn annoying when it happens all the time. While I recommend that you check the crank pulley, I would start by making sure your belts are tightened properly.

Squeak!

Is there a way to know how tight to make them? Would it list something like that in the chiltons manual? Or somewhere else?

91 Turbo Mitsu · 12-03-2006, 08:14 PM

Your alternator belt which is a wide flat belt(serpentine belt [ not a serpentine, a "Multi-V"]) . This belt when tight you should be able to twist it sideways. The v-belt for the power steering is a little different. Find a point between two pulleys ( usually a place that has the most space between two pulleys) and push down with your fingers. It should move about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. One other thing to check is take a flashlight and look at the part of the belts that ride against the pulleys and see if they look shiny. If they do your belt or belts have become glazed over and need to be replaced to prevent further problems. Hope this helps and keep us posted. Travis

Defiant · 12-04-2006, 01:42 AM

Your harmonic balancer has died.

treebonker · 12-04-2006, 04:16 AM

I had cold start schreeching and some variance maneuvering the steering wheel but disappeared once warmed up. Tightening the belt did the trick but not for long. I later found my alt belt KIA.

Defiant · 12-05-2006, 03:55 AM

Looks like it was running a groove out of register on one of the pulleys. You were lucky it died so neatly.

Wildman95GS-T · 10-12-2008, 07:48 AM

Like Defiant stated, i had this happen to me a year ago and was having the same belt squeel at start up or when i washed the car or it rained