What is that noise?

[Krazysmit]

I live up in the northeast and I have a problem with my car in the cold weather. Every time I start it up when it's cold outside, my car wails like a banshee. The noise seems to be affected by when I put the clutch in. (i can be sitting still idling and it seems to affect it) Also, when I first start driving with it, from 3000-5000 rpm, I can hear a belt rotating (hard to explain, but lets just say it's making noises its not suppose to). After getting up to normal engine temps, it seems to be fine.

Firstly, is this a problem that I need to fix? I had a shop do all the belts this summer, so I'm thinking it might be one of the pulley's?

Secondly, how can I get this fixed so my car doesnt scare peds in a one mile radius? Would it be expensive?

Thanks

 

[Talon96tsiAWD]

Is it a squealing sound like the alternator belt squealing? I cant tell you how many dsm's I've heard during the cold months in pa have horribly squealing alternator belts. If its not the belt I would check a pulley.

 

[Krazysmit]

If I replaced all the belts this summer, why would the alternator belt be causing that noise? I suppose it could be a pulley, but what do I do...replace it?

 

[BUCK]

Yes - you should DEFINITELY check your Harmonic balancer pulley FIRST -It seems our generation of cars is losing them left & right making it impossible to retain accessory belt tension - Recent post from a guy said the outer ring just came off BY HAND - NOT COOL - you could kill a whole motor like that - I've found once a belt squeals like that for a while it's dead - Get a new belt - tension it properly - Then if it's like mine you'll have to re-tension the P/S belt it in a day or so & after that you never hear from it again.

 

[Talon96tsiAWD]

I said nothing about the belt being bad, but rather it may be loose, mine had to be tightened because it was squealing really bad.

 

[BitAddict]

you could try to spray some belt dressing on it(alternator belt). if it helps for a day or two it probably needs tightening. i had same problem.