startup squeal

[getyourgunn]

i have a 93 camry LE 2.2 with 220,000 miles and when i start it up i get a squeal from under the hood that goes away after a bit. I assume its either the ac belt or the alternator belt, so i bought both. i think i can do the alternator belt but am debating how to do the AC belt. any suggestions ideas, am i right in guessing its one of those belts?

[MR2Jedi]

It sounds like one or both of the belts need to be tightened. They should both have adjusters.
Pretty simple procedure.Loosen the lockdown bolt,then tighten adjuster bolt.

[JohnGD]

Do you have power steering? It has a belt too. The AC and alt is the same belt, adjust through the jackscrew on the alternator.

I'd recommend a Gates Krik-it II tension gauge. About $19+shipping on Amazon. Deflection method is not as reliable.

Originally Posted by getyourgunn

i have a 93 camry LE 2.2 with 220,000 miles and when i start it up i get a squeal from under the hood that goes away after a bit. I assume its either the ac belt or the alternator belt, so i bought both. i think i can do the alternator belt but am debating how to do the AC belt. any suggestions ideas, am i right in guessing its one of those belts?

[getyourgunn]

yes i have power steering and AC. should i not replace these belts? I have had the car for about four years and iv never replaced them, and i dont know the last time they have been replaced. if not i can just tighten them and return the belts. does anyone know what the tension should be on the belts and if autozone rents a tension tool?

[JohnGD]

I don't think Autozone or other parts stores rent or free-loaner these tools. Usually they give you the deer-in-the-headlight look when asked to buy a belt tension gauge. But NAPA knew what they were.

Typically every 5-years 60K miles a complete timing job should be done. And this includes the oil seals, pulleys, the water pump, and all belts. Additionally, over 100K miles, coolant hoses, thermostat, and valve cover gasket, etc.

I'd go with Gates belts and hoses. You can get them from NAPA or O'Reilly seems to stock them.

Typical parts replaced in a timing job, older rockauto.com prices:
GATES TCK199 (kit of timing belt with two pulleys and instruction)
$84.79
GATES Part # K030295 PS belt $4.32
GATES Part # K050435 Alt/AC $12.12
FEL-PRO TCS45641 Cam seal $4.11
FEL-PRO TCS45920 Crank seal $6.04
BCA Part # 221820 Oil pump seal $2.71
AISIN (Toyota #16110-79185) water pump $58.79
FEL-PRO VS50304R valve cover gasket set $13.94
BECK/ARNLEY 0396428 $1.87 (PCV grommet)

Originally Posted by getyourgunn

yes i have power steering and AC. should i not replace these belts? I have had the car for about four years and iv never replaced them, and i dont know the last time they have been replaced. if not i can just tighten them and return the belts. does anyone know what the tension should be on the belts and if autozone rents a tension tool?

[redtigerrocks]

Originally Posted by MR2Jedi

It sounds like one or both of the belts need to be tightened. They should both have adjusters.
Pretty simple procedure.Loosen the lockdown bolt,then tighten adjuster bolt.

the A/C & Alt. belt are one belt. Doesn't have to loosen the belt for the squealing to stop?

[MR2Jedi]

Belts usually squeak when they are loose. Especially on start up.
Analyzing noises is probably one of the hardest things to do over the net.
But if I heard what he described(as close as I can tell) happening to my vehicle, the 1st thing I would do is check the belt tension and go from there..
Just a suggestion.

[redtigerrocks]

Ok guess my belt is loose then (but my belt seems tight snug on the pulleys)... I have the same problem but its happening all the time even when I drive and its def the alt/ac belt cause it only happend after I changed it

[Mike Gerber]

"I have the same problem but its happening all the time even when I drive and its def the alt/ac belt cause it only happend after I changed it"

Most new belts will stretch out a bit after a few hundred miles of usage. If you just changed the altenator/AC belt, I would recheck the tension on that one belt in particular.

Mike