Hello
I have been getting a high pitch squealing noise from somewhere when I start the car and it's still cold... Usually it used to go away when it warmed up, but now I just installed my FSTB and took a spin, the car is warmed up fully and it's still squealing like a pig! I know it's not the brakes because it squals when I'm at a complete stop too.. It seems to wind up a little bit, not get louder, but more frequent...

So I am suspecting belts? I was really annoyed by this and I popped the hood, it's damn loud but seems to be coming from somewhere below the engine or to the left of it?
Can this be the belts which are included as part of the 60k service? I've just hit 61k miles now.. I need to get done on my 60k mile tune up, so far all I did was change the fuel filter and air filter.



any help is appreciated.

 

If you suspect your belts, get a can of squeal eliminator spray from any auto store and see if that helps. If not, then you know its something else.

 

when there is moisture in the air, like after it rains, i have occaisonally noticed a squeal. But only on rainy days, or humind days.

 

there is no moisture in the air now... it hasn't rained for days, everything is nice and dry.. But the damn thing is squealing like a pig.

I never heard about this "squeal illiminator".. is this stuff safe for use on belts? Maybe it needs to be replaced as a precautionary measure, or tightened up? Anyone know what exact belts are part of the 60k mile service, or how much they cost?

thank u

i know i am asking 2 many questions...

 

The stuff is made for belts. Its basically just a lubricant for them (temporary fix). Although, you may as well get your 60k tune-up done. Dont they replace all your belts?

 

well, I don't want "them" to do it for me and charge me 250$ to tighten my belt and put in new plugs I want to do it myself.. I think I'll just tighten them up for now and see what happens... (need a torque wrench).

 

I bought the belts myself at Autozone for about $20 and spent a little over an hour to change them. They're even easier to just tighten them.

Also most dealers don't include changing the belts in a 60K service, they only inspect and then charge extra. Make you sure you make them tell you exactly what's included if you do end going there.

Good luck.

 

It's probably the alternator belt that sits to the left of the engine, between engine and passenger side wheel well. You can tighten it with a 14mm ratchet. It's $10 - $15 to buy a new alternator belt, 43 inches long with 6 ribs. 430K6 at trak auto, 6PK1090 should be the metric equivalent.

 

Which belts EXACTLY are part of the maintenance??????

"Cooler2000" said he had similiar problems on his 97 GLE with much lower miles. It was the alternator belt..

But which other belts are involved in the 60k service?

I was told:

-drive belts?
-A/C belts?
-Alternator belts?


thanks.

 

sound like the belts

look here for a good writeup on changing them

http://integra.vtec.net/geeser/megamax/60k_service.html

 

There are two belts on the VQ, one that does alternator and a/c and maybe one other thing(can't remember right now), and another one that does power steering. The 60K service from a dealer typically includes replacing spark plugs, oil and oil filter, air filter and coolant, as well as a ton of inspections, like brakes and the two belts and other lines and such. If they find anything, like the belts are worn, or the brakes are shot, they will charge you extra for them to change them. It doesn't say anywhere that the belts must be changed at 60K. Their replacement is based on condition. Please keep in mind that each dealer is different, and your local one may have a different service package than another one across town. Hope this cleared things up a little.

 

thanks guys. I'll look for the belts.. So they shouldn't cost much right?

thanks

 

Right. 10-15 for the alt & a/c belt, I just bought the power steering belt but can't remember how much it cost. Anyone know if the pulley has to be removed to install the power steering belt? Thanks

 

i have that same problem but when the car warms up it goes away. im on 58k miles right now...

 

Pouring water on a squealing belt will quiet it for a few secs so you can identify the right one.

 

The freakin noise seems to be coming from the alternator or the belts area..... So I inspected the belts, they look good, no cracks nothing!... I listened further, and it seems to be coming from the alternator. I have 61k miles on the car... When u press the gas, the squeal is more frequent but not louder or anything.... It used to go away after the car warmed up, now it's continuing...

What are the signs of a failing alternator?
How can I test it? Is it safe to drive on it like this? How long can I continue to drive this way without [censored] up my car?


also... It is more of a high pitch WHISTLING sound, not just a squeal. I use the DMB technique of putting a stick or a tube near the parts and listening... the Idler pulley 1st seems to be loose, and then it makes an uneven noise.. I think it can be the problem? is 61k miles too premature for alternator failure????

help!

 

ok.... I just put some grease on them, particularily in the area of the tentioner pulley and it went away... however, I can still hear some periodic, silent squaks every now and then.... What the hell is the origin of this problem?

 

The belts don't have to be cracked to need replacement. If they have been too loose they can glaze over. They will also squeal if they are loose. If you replace them, no pulleys need to be removed at all. If you can get access to a manual, it will step you through the process.

 

thanks... but I thought the belts only need to be inspected and replaced if they show signs of wear? besides that, they are usually tightened...

oh well, today I tried to go somewhere again and the ****ing thing was squealing again. It didn't go away after car warmed up either, so I just left it there for now. I'll try not to drive anywhere until I have time to fix this problem. Or I'll just go to a mechanic.
It looks like the other belt (A/C?) is really hard to get to, probably has to be taken out from under the car? But both belts look great.

 

Belts these days do not show a great amount of wear until immediately before they break. Get them fixed, or check the tension in your pulley system.

 

You're right, normally. If tightening the belt doesn't help the noise, the only way to get rid of it is to replace them. The PS belt is a bit harder to do than the main belt. Even if you have the dealer change them it should be no more than $100. Much less if you do it yourself.