Squealing Noise: Problem? ('01 Camry V6) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CarryMeBF · 07-11-2011, 03:33 PM

I know it is a long shot since none of you can hear it, but I am getting a squealing noise when I turn on my A/C when my car is first started up. After it warms up and I have driven a few blocks it is fine. But the squealing doesn't really occur when moving, but if I go a block (or when I first start the car) and the A/C is on, and I come to a stop, it will squeal until I go a ways.

Both of the belts which you can see (not including the timing belts which are covered) are tight. So it doesn't seem like they are slipping.

Any ideas what the problem may be?

pmesfun · 07-11-2011, 03:44 PM

Replace the A/C and Power steering belt.

hill8570 · 07-11-2011, 04:34 PM

Certainly not the timing belt. Probably the AC/altermator belt.

How old are the P/S and AC/alternator belts? They may be getting a bit on the hard (slippery side).

Could just be crap on the belts or pullys -- doesn't take much of anything to give you a startup squeal. A quick and cheap thing to try would be to degrease the belts and pullys -- if nothing else, scrub with soap and water and rinse well. If that doesn't work, then plan B (new belt). At least they're pretty inexpensive...

CarryMeBF · 07-11-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hill8570

Certainly not the timing belt. Probably the AC/altermator belt.

How old are the P/S and AC/alternator belts? They may be getting a bit on the hard (slippery side).

Could just be crap on the belts or pullys -- doesn't take much of anything to give you a startup squeal. A quick and cheap thing to try would be to degrease the belts and pullys -- if nothing else, scrub with soap and water and rinse well. If that doesn't work, then plan B (new belt). At least they're pretty inexpensive...

I just put a brand new AC/Alternator belt on a couple months ago. I am unaware of the other belt, I am a second owner....probably never since the AC/Alternator belt was an original.

I will try the soap/water/scrub. Is there another way to degrease?

CarryMeBF · 08-01-2011, 01:08 PM

I have changed the belt that connects to the alternator, what is the other belt called and what does it take to remove and change that one out?

hill8570 · 08-01-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryMeBF

I have changed the belt that connects to the alternator, what is the other belt called and what does it take to remove and change that one out?

That's the power steering belt. I'll steal a copy of pics from one of the timing belt DIYs (sorry dz63, but they're really good pictures!)

Loosen pivot bolt (easest to get to from up above...might have to remove the dogbone to get to it):

Loosen adjustment bolt from underneath. Use a pinch bar (some long bar, anyhow) to move the pump enough to release tension on the belt)

mazdaverx7 · 08-01-2011, 02:00 PM

even if a belt looks good, it can be stretched or glazed and cause a squealing noise. the belts on my Porsche 944 looked great but were squealing. i replaced them and the noise has ceased. i would replace both belts at the same time, especially since you have to remove the alternator/a/c belt to get the p/s belt off in the first place.

ajkalian · 08-01-2011, 02:15 PM

I had replaced both the PS and AC belt with Duralast belts from Autozone. One month after they were installed, they started to squeak at start up. Tried some belt dressing, tried cleaning them, gave up and bought some Gates Belts from Kragen. The noise went away and hasn't come back. If you got Duralast belts from Autozone, that might be the problem.

CarryMeBF · 08-01-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajkalian

I had replaced both the PS and AC belt with Duralast belts from Autozone. One month after they were installed, they started to squeak at start up. Tried some belt dressing, tried cleaning them, gave up and bought some Gates Belts from Kragen. The noise went away and hasn't come back. If you got Duralast belts from Autozone, that might be the problem.

Where can I get the Gates Belts from?

***fenixus*** · 08-01-2011, 09:55 PM

what brand of belt did you use?

I found out that Duralast belts (pretty much noname) are utter piece of shit and after 6 months are garbage (stretched)... Bando, Dayco, Mitsuboshi or Goodyear are the brands you want to stick with, they were/are also all used as OEM Toyota belts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryMeBF

I just put a brand new AC/Alternator belt on a couple months ago. I am unaware of the other belt, I am a second owner....probably never since the AC/Alternator belt was an original.

I will try the soap/water/scrub. Is there another way to degrease?

hill8570 · 08-01-2011, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarryMeBF

Where can I get the Gates Belts from?

Gates reseller locator

mazdaverx7 · 08-02-2011, 05:00 AM

i buy Gates belts from Napa. i've had Gates belts on my 92 SE for 16K miles and no slippage or cracking.

CarryMeBF · 08-03-2011, 01:27 PM

I changed both belts today, thanks for the help. The loosening of the pivot bolt to get the power steering belt off was easier to loosen on the bottom side (for the 2001 Camry). I took the tire off, and the plastic piece that shelters the engine from water and was able to loosen both bolts fairly easily from there.

First time changing the PS belt, and it went very smoothly. This evening when I go somewhere I will see if that stopped the squealing. Hopefully this has solved the problem and there aren't any bearings that are bad...or other reasons. I'll update you.

***BMR*** · 08-03-2011, 01:38 PM

A new belt will often stretch a little in a week or two and need to be re-tightened. So if the squealing starts up again, that might be necessary.

mail2_jb · 08-03-2011, 01:43 PM

You may need to re-tighten both belts after couple of weeks. I changed my TB last month and it started squealing yesterday. PS belt was tight, but Alt belt was kind of loose (not much though). Tighten it again and the squealing went away. Belts are from Bando (ebay tb kit). Since these are good belts, now I think i might not have tighten the belt enough at the first place ?