This just recently began and has not really gotten worse...but on start-up (usually after sitting for a few hours) right when the engine begins running there is a fairly loud squeal. I don't know if this is a belt issue or something more serious. I have not had someone else start the car and me listen to pinpoint exactly where it's coming from, but I will see if I can get someone. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

 

Tighten the belt, the noise should go away.

 

Would you say tighten at the pulley or tighten via the tensioner from the top?

 

Just had a new serpentine belt put on my car about a month ago. Two weeks no noise then the squealing started. Only on start up, then it would disappear in a few seconds. Just had to adjust the belt tensioner a touch. Check your belt before you adjust!

 

It's probably the belt. I don't know where to tighten it at because I'm not very car savvy myself. But I do know that if you plan on tightening the belt you need to be very careful that you don't tighten it too much.

Here is another topic on it from a seperate forum.

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246415

 

Loosen the pulley first, or youll bend the tensioner like i did.

I believe the pulley bolt is a 14mm. Loosen that one, but try not to take it all the way off. If everything falls off, it can be a bit tricky to get it back in. Then tighten the tensioner, and make sure to retighten the pulley bolt.

 

Pinpoint which belt it's coming from, then tighten it. Or, tighten both and eliminate both possible causes.

 

That's why I recommend, if you haven't done so, download the FSM from phatg20.net or vq35de.com and follow the procedure for measuring the belt deflection, once you do it that way a few times you will be able to get it perfect without having to break out a ruler, but 4-real do it like that the first time, it's THE move!

 

Yea, I am afraid to over-tighten. The last belt I had wasn't in that bad of shape, but it would squeak all the time (as the engine is turning). But since I put this new belt on, it has just started squealing on startup. I guess I will take a look at it this weekend and see I can get the deflection correct. I have looked at the procedure, but admittedly just done a guess and check type install. I supposed it pays to do it right.

 

i had that with my belt too. It's a cheap fix.
belt dressing is a good temporary fix.

 

:stfu:

 

Just give the tensioner a couple of turns after loosening the pulley to tighten the belt. Symptoms will get progressively worse as the colder weather arrives (depending on where you live). Its not a bad idea to see what kinda condition your belts are in also, as the replacement is quite simple. Good luck.

 

Lol, I said that in another thread like a week ago, Gate's belts are sick, My buddies mustang would throw every aftermarket belt for his blower after a few k miles, except a gate's. I've been meaning to price one out for the maxi's, I haven't just because the oem belts are so friggin' cheap, but they're not made in Japan anymore, sometimes I get one that says made in USA and then sometimes it's India, wtf lol.

 

If that happens when cranking, it could be the starter. Mine squealed really loud when I started it up and the noise stayed for the first couple seconds the engine was running. Replaced the starter with one from Advance Auto (110 bucks) and it's been fine since.