2003 4Runner V6 Squealing Engine Sound on Startup

[danielatx]

So lately i've been getting a certain squealing sound when I start the engine. It lasts about a couple of seconds then the noise winds down. It always happens on cold starts but also sometimes on warm starts. I recently had the radiator flush done.

Here's a Youtube video of the sound:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8ISKg4TCkO0?list=UUf4R9b3X9qGq_gnf8oSPsBw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[mattleegee]

replace belt?

 

[danielatx]

Which belt could it be? Is it something a mechanic would charge a lot to fix?

 

[MarkinWMich]

Likely the serpentine belt. About $60 for the belt. You can change it yourself in about 15 minutes.

The other things that can cause some squeaking are the pulleys. Those are about $25 each and is roughly a 30 minute job.

Even cheaper is a can of serpentine belt dressing. Spray it on, let it run for a few minutes, and it will usually quiet things down considerably. Having said that, usually the reason for the squeaks in the first place is a worn belt.

 

[danielatx]

It turns out my mechanic had to replace 3 belt idler pulleys, 1 belt tensioner pulley, and the serpentine belt. Here's what it sounds like now:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/K_sKbSsSVlM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>