If you’re hearing a squealing noise when you start your car, don’t worry – you’re not the only one! This is a common problem that many drivers experience. In this blog post, we will discuss the possible causes of this squealing noise and how to fix it. Keep reading to learn more!
Why Do Some Cars Squeal When Starting?
There are a few different reasons that your car might start making a squealing noise. If this has happened to you for a few days now, you may recognize some patterns. Does the noise occur only when you start your car and stop after about 30 seconds? Is the sound worse when it’s cold out? If these are the patterns you’re noticing, the screeching could be due to your car’s belt. If the noise continues when you start your car and doesn’t stop, you could have a more serious issue.
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Figuring Out the Cause
So, your car is squealing. How do you determine the cause? Follow these tips:
Step #1: Listen to the engine
Cars have a number of devices that require mechanical energy and are driven by rubber belts. Among those are the alternator, which maintains a charge on your battery and electrical system, the air conditioning (AC) compressor, which circulates the refrigerant for the AC system, and the power steering pump, which provides hydraulic pressure for the power steering and sometimes the brakes.
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Some cars operate all these accessories with a single, serpentine belt. Others have multiple belts for the different devices. When these belts start to slip, they will make a sharp screeching noise.
Step #2: Operate the accessories
Most often, the belt screeching occurs at cold start: when the car is started after being parked for at least four or five hours. Start the car while it is cold and turn the AC off and on. If the sound of the screech changes, then the fault is likely in the belt that drives the air conditioner.
Operate the headlight switch. If that causes a change in the squealing sound, then the culprit is the belt that drives the alternator.
Turn the steering wheel to full lock position either right or left. If that changes the sound, then the belt that drives the power steering is at fault.
Step 3: Consult the car’s manual
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Find a diagram for the drive belt layout. Make note of whether you have multiple drive belts or individual belts for the different accessories. With what you may have learned by operating the accessories, you might be able to pin down which belt is giving you trouble.
Step 4: Lubricate the belts
With the engine running, and your safety glasses in place, shoot some belt dressing or some spray lubricant on the belts. If there is a problem in the belts the sound may stop instantly. This is not a permanent fix. In fact, the belt might start squealing again in just a few minutes. But if the squeal stops, it’s a good indication that the noise is simply a belt and not a tensioner.
Step 5: Check the belt tension and condition
Shut off the engine and try to flex the belt with your fingers. The workshop manual will tell you how much you should be able to move it. Old style V belts may have between half and one inch of flex while modern serpentine belts will have much less. Look for cracks or glazing on the surface of the belts. The belts start out relatively soft, then as they age they become hard and shiny. When the belt is hard, it is more likely to slip, even under the right tension. If the belt is old and hard, there is nothing to do but replace it.
If your belts look good, and the tension is correct, or if lubricating the belts didn’t produce any results. You could be looking at belt tensioner issues or you may have one of the accessories failing and trying to lock up.
Contact Scott’s Auto
If you follow those steps above and you can’t get the squealing to stop, drive to a Scott’s Auto location today and let one of our professional team members help you out. To find a location nearest you, click here.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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