squeak on startup - advice?

**S4444** · 01-19-2009 12:17 PM

the past two winters i've experienced a loud squeaky noise on cold startup. it's coming from the front of the motor and sounds like its accessory belt related, but who knows i've heard stories of timing belt issues too. my timing belt/waterpump was replaced 35k miles ago fwiw. the squeak goes away after warming up, and its only evident on cold starts in the winter. i bought a new accessory belt but i will be pulling the motor soon to go stage 3 so i dont want to only replace the belt and not fix the issue. i'm guessing it's the accessory belt tensioner, but i was wondering what u guys thought. its kind of hard to get a stethoscope in there to really be sure. advice? thx.

**mholme** · 01-19-2009 12:28 PM

Could be a belt tensioner, could be the steering pump. My steering pump likes to make noises in the winter too..

**S4_NE** · 01-19-2009 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by mholme

Could be a belt tensioner, could be the steering pump. My steering pump likes to make noises in the winter too..

mine as well, check the fluid level, it dosen't take much to over/under fill the res, for it,

**mholme** · 01-19-2009 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by S4_NE

mine as well, check the fluid level, it dosen't take much to over/under fill the res, for it,

No it's full..It squeals when cold regardless. It's a rebuilt unit as well.

**RenegadeEngr** · 01-19-2009 01:48 PM

That has happened to me when I start up the vehicle the past week when it is like -15F. I would imagine if it is happening when it is really cold it is thermal contraction thing.

**SonicBlur** · 01-19-2009 02:20 PM

A bad or malfunctioning steering pump wouldn't make a squeaking noise, it would be more of a whine. You either have a stretched belt (just an old serpentine/accessory belt) or a bad tensioner. However, I really think you have crappy belts because if a tensioner took a shit, the squeal wouldn't go away, it would be constant. I would replace the serpentine/accessory belts and go from there.

-Mike

**mholme** · 01-19-2009 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by SonicBlur

A bad or malfunctioning steering pump wouldn't make a squeaking noise, it would be more of a whine. You either have a stretched belt (just an old serpentine/accessory belt) or a bad tensioner. However, I really think you have crappy belts because if a tensioner took a shit, the squeal wouldn't go away, it would be constant. I would replace the serpentine/accessory belts and go from there.

-Mike

Without actually hearing the "squeaky" sound he's talking about, I wouldn't rule anything out. One man's squeak is another man's squeal is another man's whine..

**SonicBlur** · 01-19-2009 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by mholme

Without actually hearing the "squeaky" sound he's talking about, I wouldn't rule anything out. One man's squeak is another man's squeal is another man's whine..

True...I'm just speculating, just trying to get the gears turning in his brain as to what it could be.

-Mike

**haus4** · 01-19-2009 02:55 PM

Chris,

I had a quick squeak upon start up too, but when it was warm out. It was the accessory belt. I sprayed a little WD-40 on the belt, and tensioner just to see if I could get rid of it and it worked for a few days. Then I did the t-belt and everything associated and it went away for good.

**S4444** · 01-19-2009 06:48 PM

im hopin its just the belt, i dont want to have to rip off the front end again after doin a motor pull lol.. def not a p/s pump whine, its belt/pulley/tensioner related.. was just lookin to hear from people who experienced similar circumstances(cold weather, fine after warmup, etc) i will try sprayin some belt dressing on it to start the process of elimination.. thx fellas

**s2the4** · 01-19-2009 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by S4444

the past two winters i've experienced a loud squeaky noise on cold startup. it's coming from the front of the motor and sounds like its accessory belt related, but who knows i've heard stories of timing belt issues too. my timing belt/waterpump was replaced 35k miles ago fwiw. the squeak goes away after warming up, and its only evident on cold starts in the winter. i bought a new accessory belt but i will be pulling the motor soon to go stage 3 so i dont want to only replace the belt and not fix the issue. i'm guessing it's the accessory belt tensioner, but i was wondering what u guys thought. its kind of hard to get a stethoscope in there to really be sure. advice? thx.

I am having the same issue. My squeak is only at start up and to me it sounds as if the belt slightly slips because it is cold. It has been around -15F these parts, at this point if it isn't stopping you from driving the car I wouldn't worry. Especially because it seems that stage 3 is in the near future and it will be much more simple with the front nose off you can check to see if the tensioner is fu-bared.

**Jung** · 01-19-2009 08:01 PM

I have the same issue. it's just the Accessory belt squeaking due to the cold. nothing to worry about.

**RolledMySTi** · 01-20-2009 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by haus4

Chris,

I had a quick squeak upon start up too, but when it was warm out. It was the accessory belt. I sprayed a little WD-40 on the belt, and tensioner just to see if I could get rid of it and it worked for a few days. Then I did the t-belt and everything associated and it went away for good.

That could have been very bad. Do not spray WD-40 on your belts. That is wrong on so many levels.

To the OP it probably is your accessory belt. As is gets old it gets dry and less flexible and is prone to slippage. When it's cold the rubber is harder and thus less grippy and will squeak. Your timing belt is a toothed belt and cannot slip. When something goes wrong with your timing belt it does so in a major way.