A very dumb question....

My money is on fan belt. Check your pulleys are aligned correctly and belts are tight.
If a belt is loose and for example, your battery is a bit low, when your engine starts it will draw a lot of current to charge it and this loads the pulley a LOT and the chirrup you hear is the belt slipping on the pulley. Same goes for power steering at full lock with a loose belt.
If your fan belt is really loose, the cooling fan will cause it to squeal.
 
Thanks all, I'll tighten the belt a little. I was just wondering as most cars I've heard have this.
 
I am happy to report mine doesn't, except on one occasion when the water level in the radiator was a long way down and the car had sat for about 3 to 4 months, the water pump squeaked sumit shocking before I realized the problem.


Graeme
 
Hi, if you're not sure which belt it is give one a quick squirt of WD40 if it stops then that
is the belt that needs tightening. It more than likely it's the alternator pulley that is making
the noise because it has only got a small contact area and can exert quite a load.

Colin
 
not dumb at all. this noise is most common where belts or pulleys are used. serpentine belts in particular. ( longer belts having most issue) its a result in most cases of the belt vibrating at speed back and forth on part of its length. thus creating the 'noise' . in nearly all cases engines will have a belt tensioner in place which acts to dampen the vibrations. where no serpentine belt is fitted it can be the 'V' belt itself ( too much slack ) or even worn bearings combining with belt vibration frequency creating the noise we hear. this being most often noted under road at at certain speeds or under acceleration.
if we have a serpentine belt AND tensioner ..it is always best and accepted that BOTH are changed as a new belt alone will in most cases be a temporary fix. :shock:
 
check the alignment of the belt as the alternator pulley is adjustable by moving the alternator back or forward with shims on the bracket. Often the service technicians put them back on without the shims, or shimmed in the wrong place which moves the pulley out of alignment; belt tightening only helps till the belt wears a bit then.
 
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