as my mom was pulling the car away this morning..i could tell she had problems starting her car. when it finally got going (after about 7 attempts), i heard a lot of squealing..probably about 10 sec long.

this is after we had the belts replaced (roughly about 6 months ago). do the belts need to be re-tightened? (i think maybe, but probably that isn't the answer to the startup question).

should i:
check the battery?
could it be the starter?
or something to do w/ the belts?

thanks!
Tony

 

what's your moms car?
if the belts were just replaced that could be the problem, or whoever replaced them may have tightened them too much and fuaked a bearing
were JUST the belts replaced or did they fix something else?
more info please

 

its a 95 gle. really could overtightening the belt produce startup problems as well?

 

i dont know about starting problems but, if its too tight you'd get that squealing as well. If you do this yourself you can check these fairly quickly. Another thing to check (I learnt the hard way) is to make sure that the idler pulley is level- the bolt that the pulley spins off is supposed to be flush against the adjuster on the back side. If this bolt was tightened without making that it was flush, you would have an unlevel pulley which would also cause this squealing. Just something else to check

BTW i'm not sure if this is any gauge for you but my powersteering belt was last replaced about 4 yrs ago- i've been doing about 30k a year. My point- if installed properly, they last.
The serpentine belt I actually replace about twice a year...i'm a bit **** about this one.

 

is there any how-to with actual visuals on this forum? i always didn't like doing belt stuff myself, it seems complicated

 

Sorry, dont remember seeing one but you can try searching. I'm not sure about what you've done on your car before but I can usually change my serpentine belt in and out in about 20min- if you're mechanically inclined you can do it. The powersteering belt is a bit more tideous. Anyway, if it still seems too complicated, you might have to suck up and take it to a shop. However, do yourself a favor and get a Haynes or Chilton's manual from autozone or whatever (will run you about $15 dalla)- this is going to be a HUGE, HUGE help in the future. Start doing small stuff on your max by yourself.

 

belts are very easy (at least the A/C belt) loosen the tensioner, and remove belt, just like that. replace and tighten the belt.