Loud screeching noise? Please help...

[patfan7451]

Today after I pulled out of a parking lot I began to hear this loud screeching noise coming from under the hood. I immediately pulled into a different parking lot and stopped the car (98 GST). After opening the hood, I tried to start the car again and it made the same noise. The screeching is very high in pitch and then goes a little bit slower and a little lower pitch for about 15 seconds. After about three hours, I started it again and it was not there anymore, but I tried to drive and I didn't have power steering and then it started again. Some of my friends told me it's the fan belt, but I really have no idea what it is. Can someone please help me? I hope it's not the timing belt...

 

[dalepmay]

Don't worry, its not the timing belt. If it was, there would be a lot more than just your power steering not working. If your power steering is gone, then yes, its the belt. Thats what that "Screeching" noise is. Usually a belt starts doing that in colder temperatures when the belt is getting older. If it's the outside belt, it takes about 10 minutes to change. If it's the inside one.....have fun

 

[oldman]

1. Tell your friend we don't have fan belts.

2. Get yourself a service manual and check the crank pulley for signs of separation, make sure all drive belts are still present and are at the right tension.

 

[patfan7451]

1. Tell your friend we don't fan belts.

2. Get yourself a service manual and check the crank pulley for signs of separation, make sure all drive belts are still present and are at the right tension.

If the crank pulley is separated, and/or the drive belts need to be replaced, what kind of money estimate are we looking at? Could I do it by myself or would I need to take it to a mechanic? Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[DSM90AWD]

The screeching is very high in pitch and then goes a little bit slower and a little lower pitch for about 15 seconds. After about three hours, I started it again and it was not there anymore...

You're either the luckiest man in the world or your PS belt is loose or glazed

Could I do it by myself or would I need to take it to a mechanic?

..sorry mind is in the gutter today.

Seriously though.. pick up a Chiltons from AutoZone and a new drive belt(s). 15-20min DIY and will cost you ~$30 total

 

[FORMONTOYA]

If the crank pulley is separated, and/or the drive belts need to be replaced, what kind of money estimate are we looking at? Could I do it by myself or would I need to take it to a mechanic? Thanks for the responses guys.

the crank pulley is about $75-$100 and all belts are about $25-$40. if the ps belt is decent and squeaking, then more than likely the crank pulley is bad. do the belts if you have to do the pulley. simple job you could do yourself with basic hand tools.


jim

 

[lil' red dsm]

doing the pulley will take a little more time because you need to remove the wheel and fender liner. the pulley may be stuck on. i used a rubber mallet and it popped off without much trouble.

 

[02BLUR]

I just bought a CS pulley from Tallahasee Mitsubishi for $125, and thats club DSM discount price! Regular is like $190! With my Red 1G AWD, the PS pump also was squealing horrible and also the CS pulley split in half. I'm rebuilding the engine right now, but have not replaced the PS pump. I'll see if it still squeals...
So sounds like your PS pump is bad, as well.

 

[DSM90AWD]

Regarding the pulley. If you set your #1 piston to TDC (long screwdriver in the sparkplug hole trick) and the timing pointer on the Crank Pulley doesn't lineup on TDC on the lower timing cover ignition scale either your pulley is separated or the timing belt jumped

 

[patfan7451]

Hmmm that's alot of info guys, and a lot of it I'm not really sure what to do about. If I'm pretty car illiterate in dealing with this kind of stuff, is it better to take it to a mechanic?

 

[FORMONTOYA]

check this out for more info...
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169254

i would do the work myself. regarding the price on the 1g crank pulley, i thought they were a press on type pulley, which would make them a little more expensive. the one for the galant is the same one for my eclipse. i got it for $100 january this year. i seriously doubt you have any timing belt problems. it will be either the belts, pulley, or ps pump. as old as the car is, i would be looking at the condition of the belts first, then the crank pulley, if you are having weird electrical issues also, then it is definitely the pulley. it is a simple job. jack up the drivers side, remove tire. at the back of the wheel well on the bottom you will see a plastic strip/liner about 10 in or so with 3-4 screws holding it on. remove it and you will have access to the crank pulley. 4 bolts and it should pop off. on the galant i had to loosen the drivers side motor mount to get the pulley off, do not know if this applies to the eclipse. put it back together with new belts and your done. maybe take an hour if your just screwing around.


jim

 

[patfan7451]

Thanks for all the replies guys it's really helped. It looks like my problem is the crank pulley, but I guess I should replace the belts as well. Exactly which belts should I replace and where are they located? Sorry for the newbness and thansk alot.

 

[ddavisaf]

Power steering, ac, alternator, balance, timing. They're all located in the same spot pretty much. And this is assuming your car is stock. Meaning, Balance Shafts are still in the car and AC has not been removed.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

if you replace the crank pulley you should replace the accessory belts if it has been a while since you last did them. the belts would be the ac, alternator, and ps belts. all right there on the drivers side of the engine. as stated, i seriously doubt that the timing and/or balance belts would be the problem. however, you do have to replace them at least every 60k. if it has been longer, or you do not know when the tb/bb was replaced, that is a totally different issue that needs to be taken care of immediately or it can get really pricey. and one if your not very car savvy that should be done at the shop, unless you know someone you trust to help you with it.


jim

 

[ITSME4G63]

I just bought a CS pulley from Tallahasee Mitsubishi for $125, and thats club DSM discount price! Regular is like $190! With my Red 1G AWD, the PS pump also was squealing horrible and also the CS pulley split in half. I'm rebuilding the engine right now, but have not replaced the PS pump. I'll see if it still squeals...
So sounds like your PS pump is bad, as well.

I got mine from mentor mitsubishi in ohio for 95$ , they giv eyou a 25% discount on all mitsu parts.

 

[patfan7451]

Well guys my dad made me take it to the car to a local mechanic who we go to for anything. He fixed the car for free and said simply that "one of the belts was loose off of a pulley." I didn't ask him very many questions, which I know I should have. The car is working perfectly now, but there is no way to tell how well he fixed it. He most definetely didn't buy any new parts. So, do you guys think, after taking a look at what I said was happening, I should still buy the new crank pulley and put it in? Or do you think I'm alright?... Thanks alot guys.

 

[Defiant]

Well guys my dad made me take it to the car to a local mechanic who we go to for anything. He fixed the car for free and said simply that "one of the belts was loose off of a pulley." I didn't ask him very many questions, which I know I should have. The car is working perfectly now, but there is no way to tell how well he fixed it. He most definetely didn't buy any new parts. So, do you guys think, after taking a look at what I said was happening, I should still buy the new crank pulley and put it in? Or do you think I'm alright?... Thanks alot guys.

Yeh. He tightened your power steering belt. Sorry I was away for a couple of days.