squealing from belts when cold

[area51]

when the engine is cold and i start it theres a very loud squeal from that belts that usually always goes away after i put the car in reverse to back out of the drive way. (guess this is because it is putting a load on the belts?) it also squeals loud when i stear either way from the power stearing but not sure if these are seperate issues.. anyone know whats going on

[BadChicken]

get new belts

[toyotaspeed90]

tighten them.....

[Streetglower]

if there is a belt tensioner, more then likely it is worn out and you need a new one, if there is not a belt tensioner, but you are able to change the tension, then tighten the belt.

[amtbikedude]

Check the belts though too... they could be really glazed now. Belts are cheap so if you have any doubt, replace them. It beats breaking down in the winter.

[TokyoRacer]

My car does it everywinter, I just repalce the belts. *shrugs*

[RedAE102]

Originally Posted by amtbikedude

Check the belts though too... they could be really glazed now. Belts are cheap so if you have any doubt, replace them. It beats breaking down in the winter.

Or in the middle of the summer in the Arizona desert!

[toyotaspeed90]

the car is a 1997.... it has at least 2 belts, not a single belt with automatic tensioners.....

[paulkramer]

Hi - new to this forum. My wife has a 2003 Corolla and it has a squeaky serpentine belt as well. The stealership tried to sell her a new belt while ignoring the likely cause of the glazed belt - a bad tensioner.

I am pretty sure this is the problem, and it should still be under warranty (since she has only 23,000 miles). Does anyone know the proper tension for this belt? I checked the deflection on my 2002 RSX and my belt deflects a lot less than the Corolla's. Not exactly a scientific test, but I'm guessing they should be similar.

Anybody know the answer? And/or where I can get my hands on a service manual? 'Cause I know the buttheads at the service department will try and tell her there's nothing wrong with the tensioner so I want to have some numbers ready when they try to stiff her.

Thanks in advance!

[JohnO356]

Separate issues, I would say. A squeal when you turn the steering wheel is normally low fluid in your power steering. It has a cap and a little dipstick to check it with. The squeal from your belts when you start the car is more that lik0ely a glazed belt. You can try belt dressing (I think they still sell it) but I'd recommend replacing the belts.

[paulkramer]

Not sure where you got the "squeal when you turn the steering wheel" bit, I don't recall mentioning that and there isn't one.

I know the belt is glazed and needs replacing, but the glazing is probably caused by a bad tensioner.

I just heard from another guy on another forum that the belt should only deflect 1/4" - 1/2" (apparently '03 Corollas come with two different engines, or different accessories) and it deflects much more than 1/2" when I push on it with my finger.

[JohnO356]

Hi Paul-- My answer was directed to the person who started this thread-name Area 51. It's always better to start your own thread, makes for a lot less confusion. Have a good one.

[REN69]

thread hijackers... like the man said, make your own thread.

The belts are probably old now that's why they squeal.. when is the last time you changed or had the belts changed?

[paulkramer]

Originally Posted by JohnO356

Hi Paul-- My answer was directed to the person who started this thread-name Area 51. It's always better to start your own thread, makes for a lot less confusion. Have a good one.

Oh, sorry for the confusion.....this thread was so old, I guess that's why I posted my question here. Next time I'll start a new one.

[JohnO356]

If I had looked at the thread date I never would have posted, LOL.