Hey fellas, an aspiring Maximaniac has an annoying problem with his car. I tried a search but was unable to come up a good answer.

I have a '97 SE with 55K miles, no mods, and for the past few months I've been getting this annoying squeeling noise from the passenger side of my engine when I start my car. When I step on the gas pedal, the noise becomes a little louder and faster. This only happens after it rains; the noise disappears after I drive the car for about 10 min. Could it be a wet belt that's causing this? And how can I fix this problem?

What should I be looking for??? Thanks for your help guys.

 

Given the correlation of squeal with rain, the problem is almost certainly a wet belt. I suggest you inspect your belts for condition and tension. See the Haynes repair manual (page 1-15,16) for photos of acceptable and unacceptable belt wear, and tensioning instructions. Replace and/or tighten your belts as required.

Make sure your lower splash guard (the one near the oil filter) is still in place. A damaged or missing guard will allow a belt to get splashed as you drive.

If the belts and guards are in good shape, and the squealing persists, you should consider this an early warning of a mechanical problem. The belts and pulleys transfer the torque necessary to turn normal accessory loads. If (for example) your alternator bearings are binding it takes more force to turn the alternator pulley. This will manifest itself as squealing (belt slippage) noticed first when the belt is wet, and as the bearings deteriorate the squealing will become continuous.

 

I have the same problem as you had mentioned after it rains/ moisture. If I am not mistaken (please tell me if you are getting the same noise)--that is a high pitch squealing noise from the accessory belts on the passenger side of the engine. This is the same place that you mentioned that you have your noise. My car is a 97GLE with 32K on it...so...it could be just the water. I would and will check my splash guard as Dan suggest to make sure that the belts are not being splashed.



just a question out there--the wet belts won't damage any working parts, would it?

 

The answer depends on how much water is being splashed around. An ounce won't hurt anything. A quart might cause harm. Water gets in places where it doesn't belong and causes all sorts of mischief. The alternator is vented for cooling but you don't want water to get inside. The engine sensors have water-resistant connectors, but wet connectors or wet harnesses can trigger the Service Engine Soon light and DTCs which implicate the sensors.

Please realize the "wet belts" aren't going to hurt anything. Their squealing is like the canary in the coal mine. They are telling you "hey, pay attention, there is a lot of water down here!" Whatever is splashing water onto the belts is also splashing water onto other engine parts.

 

Humaras, I think we may be experiencing the same problem here. It's definitely a high-pitched squealing noise, but I'm not sure if it's the accessory belts that are the culprit. I'll need to go and buy a Chilton's manual so I can check on the belt tensions, etc that Daniel was talking about earlier. I'm at work right now, so after I get out I'll check my splash guard first before I start inspecting my engine.

But the thing that puzzles me is this: I'll have my car parked outside overnight when it's raining; when I start my car the next morning is when the squealling starts. This is before I've pulled out of my driveway, SO, how could water be splashing my belts if I haven't driven anywhere yet???

 

One word, CONDENSATION. It's whats causing your belts to get wet and slip while still parked. Anotherplace where you may see condensation is the sunroof, especially if it was humid the day before and you leave the sun shade closed.

 

Haynes is better than Chilton. For a detailed comparison of manuals, see http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/manualcompare.html

 

Philly--
(hope you don't mind me calling you that). Yes, it does sound like you and I have the same problem. Likewise in my case when I start the car in the morning when there is dew, fog, or any other type of moisture, there is a the schreeching noise from the belts. I agree with medsonic that it is condensation or moisture that collects on the surfaces, thus creating the annoying sound.
But for now, I think I will live with it. I also have only noticed it from the last winter...so far...but hope all is well...if you have any info, please feel free to post or drop me a line.

I was also wondering though, if anyone can shed some light on this--how often should these auxillary belts be changed in our 4th generation Max's and also from the noise, is it any different than when the water-pump is failing?
just curious for the future.

I know Dan can probably