I am hearing the universal squeeling belt sound when my car starts and then stop after about 5-10 seconds as the idle drops to normal. Now I am guessing this is the timing belt because I don't know if it has been changed or not and we are talking a car with 221k on it. The only thing is that I think it started right after I installed my new alternator, but I am not too sure because I can't remember. Could I have tightened the belt too tight that goes on the alternator for it to make this sound? I know the timing belt needs to be changed none the less and I think I have seen from other threads that it is not too bad to change, especially if you have someone with you that knows how to do it. What do you guys recommend? Do it yourself or take it to a shop?

 

exact same thing happened to me; next thing i knew, water pump broke...

got that replaced, finally, a few days ago with timing belt; no more squeek.

definitely worth taking a look at; might have been a sign that my pump was going bad...as it could have been the bearings on the pump, etc. i should have asked my mechanic.

 

dude, if you're trolling along at 200 some odd thousand miles and don't know when the timing belt was last changed, i would dig in there quick. although i doubt it's your timing belt squealing since it has teeth, i would definitely change it asap and while you're at it, replace all other 3 belts.

 

if you're trolling along at 200 some odd thousand miles and don't know when the timing belt was last changed, i would dig in there quick. although i doubt it's your timing belt squealing since it has teeth, i would definitely change it asap and while you're at it, replace all other 3 belts.

 

as hectic said the Tbelt will not squeal because of its design. The tensioner might squeal though.

If you have had it for 30K and the belt hasnt been changed in that time frame then you need to change it. If you dont just be ready to buy a new motor because if the belt goes so do the valves.

I bought a gxe from a friend that let the tbelt break. It bent every valve in the motor. I wound up spending around $500 to have the heads rebuilt which was actually pretty cheap...you will spend minimum of that (plus the cost of another tbelt, water pump and all the seals that should be replaced when doing a tbelt).

 

Just to add to their remarks, I've seen as many tensioner seize causing the belt to break as I have seen the belts breaking themselves. I wouldn't risk it at all. Besides bent valves, you can also wind up with broken head bolts, piston/rod damage etc. It's always a lose/lose situation if a VG30 belt breaks.

 

It may be the sound of the alternator belt or bearings associated with that puley. It you overtigtened it that may be the cause. In terms of your timing belt job, it took me around 9 hours to do it myself. The most difficulty was to disassemble everything. You may need to have some special tools like chain wrench (if you don't have air compressor and quite powefull impact wrench), puley remover. If you do it methodically and label all hoses it should not be very complicated job. I suggest you change water pump, seals and check tensioner while you have that area open.
Good luck.

 

alright, i'll get the belt done asap. As for the squeeling, the consensus it's most likely the tensioner that i tightened when doing the alternator? Just a side note that I have had the water pump and thermostat both replaced

 

When you install a new accessory belt, it needs to break-in. It will stretch a little.

If you haven't checked the belt tension again, check it. Chances are, it's loose and the slipping is causing all the squealing.

 

I found a receipt from before I owned the car and it was done at some place at about 107k. They quoted me $280 and that's the cheapest place so far. Other places wanted $500+

 

so do it yo dam self!!!

 

$280 including timing belt isn't bad. Last time I had this done at Northwest Nissan in Lynnwood about 4 years ago, it was about $500.

If you need a new water pump, cam and crank seals, it's more $$$.