When I start my car like every once in a while the car will make a loud skreeching sound it sounds horrible. I know Im due for a starter is this the noise? I have had the starter make a grinding noise and sturgle a lil but not this high pitched cry yet guess I need to find the money to do this fix...

 

my uneducated guess is that its a belt making the noise. someone else will have to tell me if im right or wrong though.

 

This happens with my car, but I believe it's just that the belts need tightening. I just changed them about a month ago and so I guess over time they expand. Once the car is warmed up, it doesn't do it anymore. Don't know if that could be the problem?

 

On replacing belts: they usually get a little looser after the first 100 miles or so; you have to retighten them. Screeching at startup just means they are loose, and then are able to catch afterwords.

 

this may be a little off subject but recently i have found my belts have been whining. The coolest part is it happens once i hit 3k rpm and then the high pitch ringing kicks in. When my friends got in the car they were like "No way you got the turbo" i had no comment. It only happens certain days depending on the weather. I know it sounds real cool and is probably picking fights it can't handle. i was wondering if it was doing any damage or if it should be replaced. I have 64k miles, i have owned it for 15k of then and have not replaced belts.

thanks
eric

 

Not to ruin your day but it could also be the timing chain tensioner. Have someone else start your car while you have the hood up and are listening to pinpoint the noise. Good luck.

 

Do you detect any noises after the car is running? Like when the AC compressor starts or when you turn the wheels while stopped. If the AC or power steering belts are loose you might be able to detect some of these noises too.

 

If the belts are loose, the power steering belt will whine at ignition startup, and then usually when the wheel is turned at low speeds. The accessories belt will whine at startup, and then usually when you turn on the A/C.