Squealling Sound from Front of Engine When Its Cold

[CVCashmere]

The sound started earlier this week. When the engine is cold, there is a squealling from the front of the engine that is RPM-related. Eventually, it seems to disappear after a few miles. Once the engine is warm, it does not seem to come back the rest of the day until the car has sat for several hours.

It does it regardless of whether the air conditioner is turned on or off.

Any idea what is causing this?

Thanks

CV

[bwlewis]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Serpentine belt tensioner? Just a guess.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

The sound started earlier this week. When the engine is cold, there is a squealling from the front of the engine that is RPM-related. Eventually, it seems to disappear after a few miles. Once the engine is warm, it does not seem to come back the rest of the day until the car has sat for several hours.

It does it regardless of whether the air conditioner is turned on or off.

Any idea what is causing this?

Thanks

CV

Me too......... no biggie just annoying.

Serpentine belts "glaze" with age just like fan belts of old.

Replace the belt and it probably goes away but it's no guarantee you won't hear it again soon.

I've got a pick up truck that would do this every year.

Sucks but that's what the radio is for........turning it up makes these little noises less annoying. (Your choice of music how-ever.......well that depends)

[Jim Young]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

3M used to make a "Spray Belt Dressing" you might see if its still around and get a spray can to see if that solves the problem before you get into a labor charge for diagnostics at a dealer..
Just a thought..
Jim

[PaBlkBrd]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Change out the belt. Band aids don't work long

[LBPatt]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Change out the belt. Band aids don't work long

+1

[CVCashmere]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Change out the belt. Band aids don't work long

The belt has 30,000 miles on it. Is this typical for a belt change as it sounds unusual.

Has anyone had problems with belt tensioners wearing out prematurely? Both ideas seem plausible.

Thanks

CV

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

3M used to make a "Spray Belt Dressing" you might see if its still around and get a spray can to see if that solves the problem before you get into a labor charge for diagnostics at a dealer..
Just a thought..
Jim

Oh, Jim........I hope you're wrong.

Change the belt or diagnose a squealing problem?.........at the dealer?

Honestly......this forum and some of the posts really bother me.

I worry that many people here truly have bought the wrong car.

This is not an inexpensive car to keep running and it does have it's own potential problems that will likely come up while you own it. Some components will require a trip to the dealer or reputable repair shop unless you are very advanced on the mechanical stuff, I acknowledge that.

But after reading how much people are paying to fix COPs problems, an ignition problem that really isn't that tough to do yourself.......I do worry that we have more than just a few members of this site that will regret the day they ever brought their car home.

If an owner can't or isn't up for changing out a serpentine belt themselves........he or she really does need a car with a warranty. Most T-Birds are now getting old enough that even the longer term purchased warranties are going away now.

The car is now best owned by people who can "wrench"......... the other option, as always is unlimited funds, but really even if dropping that much cash doesn't hurt......it's still probably going to seem pretty wasteful I'd expect.

Given problems, like Transmission related stuff and wheel bearings........never mind all the potential electrical components that could crap out at any time............ anyone incapable of doing the easy stuff themselves is in for real disappointment in the T-Bird ownership experience.

I feel for some of those folks who've bailed on the car out of disappointment........ but when I read their posts the common theme is there. Total and complete reliance on the dealer and related expenses just keeps showing up as the reason.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

The belt has 30,000 miles on it. Is this typical for a belt change as it sounds unusual.

Has anyone had problems with belt tensioners wearing out prematurely? Both ideas seem plausible.

Thanks

CV

I really would just change the belt first........it's unlikely that the tensioner is gone. When the go (rarely happens)......it's more often than not an all or nothing deal not something gradual that would result in squealing.

Belts harden with age, little cracks can often be seen on the contact side in the ribs of the belt. As you might expect, when hard it's just not as "sticky" for lack of a better way to describe it and the belt slips that little bit that makes the squeal you're hearing. As the belt warms it becomes just that little bit more pliable and the squealing stops.

I feel like a MORON diagnosing your car like this but I'll go out on that limb anyway and just suggest you change the belt..........I'm betting the problem goes away.

As for how long your belt should last?

I'd imagine that varies due to weather conditions as much as anything. But a squealing belt on a car 4 year old car with only 30,000 isn't unusual at all.

Environmental conditions take a toll on every piece on your car. The rubber in this belt is certainly not immune.

[lowcountrybird]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Had the same noise, had the belt check out it was fine the mechanic used a screwdriver and a rag held it on the belt and told me to start the engine and idle for a few seconds shut the engin off,no more noise.He said the belt was just dirty.

[ArgonV]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Dirty belts happen... Sometimes they get contaminated from changing the coolant, or they get oil on them. Cleaning the belt with a rag and some water while the car is off and the fan not spinning is a good idea. My car is a daily driver, and it has the original belt on it with 100,100 miles. I go through all kinds of rain and hot to cold weather conditions. My belt has some small micro cracks as mentioned above, but htat does not mean the belt is bad and will not continue to do its job. It is recommended that the belt be changed at 100,000 miles. I just have not gotten to it yet. ;)

[CVCashmere]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Steve and all:

Thanks everyone for some good advice. I will go out and clean the belt (with engine off) to see if there is a difference. Dirt could easily get in there.

I will also check for cracks in the belt with a shop light.

thanks

CV Cashmere

I really would just change the belt first........it's unlikely that the tensioner is gone. When the go (rarely happens)......it's more often than not an all or nothing deal not something gradual that would result in squealing.

Belts harden with age, little cracks can often be seen on the contact side in the ribs of the belt. As you might expect, when hard it's just not as "sticky" for lack of a better way to describe it and the belt slips that little bit that makes the squeal you're hearing. As the belt warms it becomes just that little bit more pliable and the squealing stops.

I feel like a MORON diagnosing your car like this but I'll go out on that limb anyway and just suggest you change the belt..........I'm betting the problem goes away.

As for how long your belt should last?

I'd imagine that varies due to weather conditions as much as anything. But a squealing belt on a car 4 year old car with only 30,000 isn't unusual at all.

Environmental conditions take a toll on every piece on your car. The rubber in this belt is certainly not immune.

[CVCashmere]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Serpentine belt tensioner? Just a guess.

The Bird is in the shop for 5 days to order a pully. Seems that the bearing in one of the belt pulleys is strting to go bad. So, under warranty, they are changing it out. Will know more when I pick up Cashmere in a few days.

thanks

CV Cashmere

[bwlewis]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Keep us posted as to which one.

[CVCashmere]

Re: Squealling Sound from From of Engine When Its Cold

Keep us posted as to which one.

Cashmere is back on the road. Unfortunately, the mechanic was gone by the time I got there. All I know is that a pulley had gone bad. The belt tensioner was fine but they did replace the belt, too. I quite don't know why because it seemed OK but it just might be standard procedure when you service pulleys and tensioners.

CV