Squeeking coming from engine while idling

[dgherfurth]

i just had my water pump replaced about 5k miles ago and about 1.5k miles ago i developed a squeek when i turn the car on. it is fairly onstant it gets worse if it is cold and usually if i drive for more than 20 minutes or so it goes away. i opened it up and it sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine more on the passenger side.

Any clues on what it is? I dont have the facilities or time to dig into it myself if it will be more than something that i can take care of in a driveway.

Picture for good measure.

 

[denvermaxd]

i opened it up and it sounds like it is coming from the front of the engine more on the passenger side.

The A/C compressor belt is on the front passenger side, I believe. Could it be a belt squeal/squeak? If they replaced the water pump they probably had all the belts off and tensions relaxed. Might just need to be re-tensioned?

 

[Chuckles89]

Could also be the AC pulley/ idler bearing

 

[mtbtim]

Sounds like a loose belt to me too. To check if the belt tensions are good, grab the center point of the belt between two pulleys and push down and pull up. You should have around 1/2" of deflection, meaning you should be able to move the belt up or down around 1/2". If you're able to move any of your belts more than that, tighten them up a bit.

When it's cold, the belt will probably be more prone to slip because it's hard. As it heats up on the pulleys, it becomes more pliable and will be less prone to slip.

 

[SpiderMonkeyPro]

I had a similar problem a while ago, replaced all 3 belts and it went away.

 

[dgherfurth]

Sounds like a loose belt to me too. To check if the belt tensions are good, grab the center point of the belt between two pulleys and push down and pull up. You should have around 1/2" of deflection, meaning you should be able to move the belt up or down around 1/2". If you're able to move any of your belts more than that, tighten them up a bit.

When it's cold, the belt will probably be more prone to slip because it's hard. As it heats up on the pulleys, it becomes more pliable and will be less prone to slip.

i will do that today after work. if it looks like it is loose how difficult would it be to tighten them up?

 

[mtbtim]

i will do that today after work. if it looks like it is loose how difficult would it be to tighten them up?

Every one of your belts has an adjuster somewhere. So far, I've only taken off the one that powers the alternator, and the adjuster is on alternator. It's usually a three-step process. You have to loosen a pivot bolt that holds whatever component onto a bracket, loosen the lock nut that holds the adjuster from being able to move and then turn the adjuster to adjust the belt tension.

There's an adjuster for the power steering pump and an adjuster for the AC pump. The AC belt might be the hardest since it's low on the engine and you'll probably have to take your skids off to access it.

It's not hard, but it you're new to wrenching on vehicles, it could give you some trouble.

 

[dgherfurth]

Every one of your belts has an adjuster somewhere. So far, I've only taken off the one that powers the alternator, and the adjuster is on alternator. It's usually a three-step process. You have to loosen a pivot bolt that holds whatever component onto a bracket, loosen the lock nut that holds the adjuster from being able to move and then turn the adjuster to adjust the belt tension.

There's an adjuster for the power steering pump and an adjuster for the AC pump. The AC belt might be the hardest since it's low on the engine and you'll probably have to take your skids off to access it.

It's not hard, but it you're new to wrenching on vehicles, it could give you some trouble.

awesome info thank you.

 

[AntleredRuin]

The skid plate should come off easily. There's technically 2 pieces, but I find it's a whole lot easier to remove both pieces at the same time. It's 5 bolts (either 10mm or 12mm, I forget.) 3 under the radiator area, and 2 on either side of transmission.

Once that's off, the AC belt tensioners are easiest to access. They're right there when you're lying on your back. No crazy contortioning or serious contemplations of paying the 10 year old down the street with small hands to do the job for you. Quick and easy.

To access the PS belt, it's best to remove the air filter box. You can get around it, but that box is royally in the way. You'll have to do everything by feel vs sight.