I don't know if someone can help me with this. I have a '97 with about 75,000 on it and when I cold start in the morning or after the car has sat for a little while I get a high pitch noise from what seems to be the right side of the car. I think it might be the belt but am not sure. Anyone else have this problem? Is there a way I can tighten the belt myself? How? I don't want to over tighten it as that would probably be bad for the pullies. Thanks for the help!

 

I have exactly the same problem. Both dealer and Firestone said that this were the belts, and they need to be replaced. If you can do the work your self, I think it's only 30 bucks for the parts.

 

The belt was replaced by a mechanic about 9-10 months ago.

 

Have you noticed any coolant leaking? or level going down? sometimes the water pump starts to whistle when going bad.

 

Your belts probably just need to be retightened. New ones tend to loosen up a little after a few hundred miles. The humidity outside doesn't help either.

 

you said "the belt"....there's two...a v-belt for the power steering and a flat belt for the rest of the accessories (a/c, alternator). both are manually tensioned, so there is some room for human error. the power steering belt is an SOB to deal with...the accessory belt is much easier and accesible from the top standing onteh passenger side of the car (you need to loosen the nut on the idler pulley before adjusting tension) and the thread on the tensioner is reverse....so if you turn the tensioner clockwise, it will apply more pressure to the belt.

i would be inclided to think the power steering belt is squeeling at start up, more than the other one.

i wouldn't worry about a water pump in a maxima, ever....they are very robust.

 

I had that exact issue after replacing the alt. Easily fixed.

 

Thanks for the help!.....I'm guessing it's the acc belt since I had my alt replaced and the belt along with it. Is the idler pully the crome color one that is closest to the front?


Thanks again!

 

The high pitched noise could also be the starter in cold weather... check out www.motorvate.ca. He has a fix for it, but I may be wrong about the problem.

 

bump

 

I have this same problem if it is the "Veeeeh" noise at startup.. I'm convinced my starter is showing signs of death... Has anyone actually done the fix mentioned? Also does anyone know where I could obtain a good aftermarket starter...

thanks

 

the starter noise is quite horrible sounding...and is definately on the drivers side. the fix has worked for a number of members. i live in a northern state and our stuff gets pretty crusty and my car has 102K so i chose to replace mine....i did all the shopping around....autozone $140+ tax for a lifetime warranty. the job will take you less than 2 hours...breaking the big bolt loose is the hardest part. while you have stuff apart to replace the starter it is a good time to replace the fuel filter and clean the throttle body