Engine Squeal

[thereason21]

I am hearing a light squeal noise at low speeds but not when stopped. My friend says it looks like the belt is bad. Is this all it could be?

 

[lakmflx]

Is it a high pitched squeal?

 

[thereason21]

No not really, it sounds to me like the beginning of belt squeal but i can barely hear it while driving ... if i roll the window down i can barely hear it bouncing off the buildings ... it is a high pitched noise but its not very loud ...

 

[lakmflx]

Do you also hear it at idle? Sounds like the serpentine belt to me.

 

[thereason21]

Thats the thing ... i dont hear it at idle. Ill check again today but last night i didnt hear it at idle ... I am guessing the serpentine belt to me too ... its kind of shiny and looks to be getting up there in years ....

 

[lakmflx]

If it is the serp belt.. It wont exactly squeal all the time. Sometimes it will come and go.

 

[thereason21]

I dont think this is something i could try to replace myself. I have seen it done on other cars. What kind of price do you think a shop would charge?

 

[lakmflx]

You can do it yourself. It's a 5 minute job. If you dont have the tool you can pick it up at any of the autozone's, advance etc... all you do is stick the tool in the tensioner pulley turn it, slide the old belt off and slip the new one on. Just make sure you follow the routing diagram correctly. Thats all there is to it.

 

[lakmflx]

Originally posted by thereason21
I dont think this is something i could try to replace myself. I have seen it done on other cars. What kind of price do you think a shop would charge?

At a minimum 65-75 for labor (unless the shop prorates their time) plus parts which can vary from 15 bucks to 50 bucks if you want a gator belt.

 

[thereason21]

Hey thanks maybe ill try it with the supervision of someone who has a clue lol I know a few of those guys. In any case i just took it out on the lot here at work and it ran for 20 minuets or so and didnt hear anything at idle or speeds up to 30 MPH. I am with you on it being the belt.