97 V6 Steady Squealing with Cold Start

[simply shane]

I searched, and it seems that maybe the power steering belt is loose. I'm not sure. But anyway, when I test drove it before I bought the car, it was only about 50-60 but still warmer than usual for december. It started fine, no squeal no nothing, just silent. Now when I start it, 15-30 degrees, it starts with a continuous squeal.

Any ideas?

I haven't driven it since the test drive, (no insurance or plates yet) I just started it to let it warm up, but had to turn it off cause the squeal was/is very annoying

[BlackCamSe]

you probably need a new accessory belt.

[BMR]

...or it just needs to be tightened up a bit. My Camry's awfully fussy about belt tension.

You sure it's the PS belt and not the serpentine belt?

[simply shane]

Well, i'm not sure about the PS belt. I got that from searching the forums for squealing. I'll look into the accessory belt, too.

[muminiasty]

I know in my toyota , alternator pulley makes squeal noise because of bearings. Listen to that.

[frojoe]

mine has a steady high pitched whine when its cold out. Its been like that for over a year now, but it hasn't been a problem. I think mine might be the alternator as well.

[simply shane]

Well i figured it out. Sort of. It is a loose belt, 2 loose belts actually. It's the 2 that are visible when you look at the engine, there's no protector thing around them. But it's not that it squeals when it's cold, it is when i turn on the AC or Heat

[dz63]

Originally Posted by simply shane

Well i figured it out. Sort of. It is a loose belt, 2 loose belts actually. It's the 2 that are visible when you look at the engine, there's no protector thing around them. But it's not that it squeals when it's cold, it is when i turn on the AC or Heat

The longer of the two serpentine belts drives the AC compressor and alternator. The shorter one drives the power steering pump. On some of the newer Camry's, the AC automatically comes on with the defrost to help clear the front window faster. It sounds like your AC-alternator belt simply needs to be tightened up. Very easy to do. Loosen the alternator pivot and locking bolt, then use the tensioner bolt to tighten the belt.

If you crank the wheels all the way to either side and hear a squeal at the end of the travel, then it is the power steering belt that needs to be tightened. You have to crawl under the car or go through the right wheel well to tighten this belt. It is a bit tougher to get at. It does not have a tensioner bolt.

[simply shane]

Thanks for the reply, that helps alot

[donbryce]

Just a warning....Be careful tightening that alternator adjusting bolt. I let mine soak overnight with a goodly stream of penetrating fluid, went out next day, loosened the 2 pivot bolts, then very gingerly tried to turn the adjusting bolt. It's a really thin shank bolt and may be rusted solid in the adjusting clamp. You can 'feel' it turn, but look real close as you do so, to make sure it's turning and not twisting. I had no trouble at all breaking it off right above the clamp 'nut'. I had to find a metric bolt long enough to replace it, with the right thread, and use a die to extend the thread and fabricate a new one. The broken stub in the adjuster had to be heated with an acetylene torch before it would turn.

[Jimnist]

Originally Posted by simply shane

Well i figured it out. Sort of. It is a loose belt, 2 loose belts actually. It's the 2 that are visible when you look at the engine, there's no protector thing around them. But it's not that it squeals when it's cold, it is when i turn on the AC or Heat

Yep that would be serpentine.

You will know if the power steering pump belt is loose when you can hear a high ptich squeal when you're turning the wheel when moving very slowly (like parking, doing a u-turn or 3 point turn) because that's when there is the most load on the engine (valve in steering rack fully open, thus fully utilising the rotary vein pump which is directly is being spun by the belt - not enough power so it just slips).