belts that can squeak when car starts

[madsmartguy]

I noticed some posts that refer to belts being a cause of a squeak for a short while after the car starts.

I started experiencing regular squeaks after I start the car lasting at least 1 minute, and it seems to intensify as I press the brake. Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Edit:
As long as I'm posting: it seems my steering wheel squeaks gently when I turn it, is this a cause for concern?
Also, my transmission fluid is dark red, is it important to change the fluid ASAP?

I appreciate any help with any of the questions

 

[bgibb68]

have you changed your belts? are they worn/lose?

 

[madsmartguy]

belts

no, i haven't changed any belts, and I highly doubt the previous owner did either. I bought it a 79K miles. It has 92K now.

 

[magnumP5]

You've already answered your own question. Tighten/replace the power steering belt. IIRC, it's the larger of the two on the outside of the crank pulley.

 

[bgibb68]

damn it mag you beat me to a semi witty responce

 

[bgibb68]

just go ahead and replace both your belts while you're in the BTW

 

[madsmartguy]

does the other belt mean the timing belt? How much would a shop charge to change the power steering belt?

 

[bgibb68]

most shops will charge labor according to a master manual and will **** you. the second belt is the water pump/alt belt. it will take you a max of 2 hours to change both....it's easy....replacing the timing is a lil different....just do a search there are some how to's

 

[madsmartguy]

did a little research on the forum. It seems like you need to approach the car from under the hood to tackle the water pump/alt belt. I live in the city and don't have anywhere to do this. Will try to change power steering belt on tuesday though. Thanks for the help. Need to find a 14mm socket wrench...
I once had an EGR valve problem and asked my dad to take it to his mechanic, they cleaned the valve the first time (had to replace it later anyway), the receipt said water pump/alt belt, is it easy to see if my belts are worn or loose?

 

[magnumP5]

^^^ There's actually a specific delfection allowable under a certain amount of force but most of us don't have the means to measure that. I've always tightened mine until I can only twist the belt about 90 degrees in the middle (between the pullies) without using excess force. What you want to avoid is over-tightening them, however. Put the new one on and tighten it how you see fit and then start the car. If it squeaks, give it a little turn and keep doing that until the noise goes away. This way you'll know it's just as tight as it needs to be.

 

[bgibb68]

did a little research on the forum. It seems like you need to approach the car from under the hood to tackle the water pump/alt belt. I live in the city and don't have anywhere to do this. Will try to change power steering belt on tuesday though. Thanks for the help. Need to find a 14mm socket wrench...
I once had an EGR valve problem and asked my dad to take it to his mechanic, they cleaned the valve the first time (had to replace it later anyway), the receipt said water pump/alt belt, is it easy to see if my belts are worn or loose?

it's more than worth wild to do both....i'm sure you know someone that has some sort of privte parking or somewhere you can jack up the car safely

edit: just saying cause if you do change the alt belt you have to take off the other one anyways

 

[katsi]

I need to do some belt work myself, how much they usually cost? its not a very difficult job, just an alternator belt

 

[madsmartguy]

so i'm in the car today, and i think i pinpointed the problem a little better, or I might have more than one problem...
When the fan was on to defog the window, the screaching sound acted up, and it would go away until i turned the fan off, what belt would be responsible for this?

 

[cwaitt11]

my belt does the same thing...its the alternator belt...mine is loose and beat up..i need to change it asap

 

[bgibb68]

its easy both belts are less than 40....takes an hour to 2, less if you have a li' help....changed mine a couple weeks ago and alas, i gtta gt back under my car to tighten down he alt some more. it got cold last night and me belt started to screach

 

[madsmartguy]

So I took a look at my belts and they look brand new! I think my dad took it to his mechanic once when they cleaned the EGR and they most likely changed it then. Took it back to them to tighten the belts up.
On the way back, I'm noticing the steering wheel is still squeaking a little bit when I turn right. (i might be paying way to close attention as the squeaking is very very quiet)
Has anybody had that here, and any ideas what might be causing it?

 

[sabrelli]

I just had my timing and drive belt replaced and im experiencing screeching too.<o></o>
Usually happens cold start, lasts 20sec then it goes away but sometimes even if car is warmed up and I shut the car down it screechs again if I start it up shortly after.<o></o>
Damn embarrassing I must say!<o></o>

 

[crazypj]

I need to do some belt work myself, how much they usually cost? its not a very difficult job, just an alternator belt

#
You have to take the power steering belt off to get to he alternator belt. (I just did them wife's car) They will be real easy, need 12 and 14mm sockets (and ratchet) to loosen adjusters and pivots
You need to remove undertray to see what your doing (10mm socket)
Not sure if its possible to leave right front wheel on?
Now I've done i, I'm pretty sure I could do it again in about 40 mins. The timing belt is a whole new story though (I did that today as well)
It took about 6 hrs for everything
PJ

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

I just had my timing and drive belt replaced and im experiencing screeching too.<o></o>
Usually happens cold start, lasts 20sec then it goes away but sometimes even if car is warmed up and I shut the car down it screechs again if I start it up shortly after.<o></o>
Damn embarrassing I must say!<o></o>

Retighten the drive belts several turns on the tensioners until it makes no noise. Don't go crazy tight, just enough so the noise stops. May have to do it a coupla different times as new belts will stretch a bit until broken in.