Tercel 94: Giving sound in winter

[magiceye]

My Tercel '94 is giving me sound in winter. The sound is very sharp and loud that starts after a while when the engine runs and only when the car speeds up. But once it takes speed of about 35/40 KM the sound disappears. Again when it comes to stop and then speeds up the sound reappears. Can anybody here give me suggestion what might be the problem? Thanks in advance.

[TTercel]

Hmmm hard to tell what it could be maybe a video would help. Mine is starting to sound like a deisel.

[magiceye]

Only 1 reply in a week? hmmm........, I thought the problem is very common and I'd get better response.................. however.

[NickR]

We need more information:

What does it sound like? Is it a squeal?

Does it ever make the sound if the car is stationary?

Does it ever make the sound if the car is in neutral?

Does the sound depend on engine rpm or on road speed? (If you change gear, but keep the road speed the same, does the sound change?)

[magiceye]

Hi NickR. Thanks man for showing interest. Yes the sound is a squeal and is very sharp and loud. It doesn't make the sound when the car is stationary also it doesn't sound when it is in neutral. It certainly depends on engine rpm at low speed/low gear (at high speed/gear (above 35/40 KM road speed), it doesn't sound). Since my car is auto gear, I couldn't do the test of changing gear keeping the road speed the same. Also the sound doesn't appear everyday but most of the days. Also point to be noted: once the engine becomes hot, the sound disappears.

Originally Posted by NickR

We need more information:

What does it sound like? Is it a squeal?

Does it ever make the sound if the car is stationary?

Does it ever make the sound if the car is in neutral?

Does the sound depend on engine rpm or on road speed? (If you change gear, but keep the road speed the same, does the sound change?)

[t_cel_t]

um yeah becuase its winter i assume your lights are on along with your defrost and heater fan?
this is putting a lot of strain on your alternator and the belt is slipping, just go get a new belt and put it on really tight.

[Tercel GTS]

^ agreed, mine used to do the same, try tightening it first.

[magiceye]

Thanks for all your replies. Actually, I don't have much knowledge about cars. Which belt you are talking about? Could you please explain? Is it the timing belt? Thanks a lot.

Originally Posted by t_cel_t

um yeah becuase its winter i assume your lights are on along with your defrost and heater fan?
this is putting a lot of strain on your alternator and the belt is slipping, just go get a new belt and put it on really tight.

[TTercel]

Belt on the left side of your car...the one that you can see moving when you start the car. You have two of those belts. The alternator belt is the lower belt.

[magiceye]

Thanks TTercel for your reply. I am wondering how it can be tightened as Tercel GTS suggested.

Originally Posted by TTercel

Belt on the left side of your car...the one that you can see moving when you start the car. You have two of those belts. The alternator belt is the lower belt.

[NickR]

First, let's try to test if it is the alternator belt: turn on the rear defrost. Does the sound get worse? If so, it very probably is the alternator belt.

To tighten it, loosen the adjusting bolt on the alternator, use a long screwdriver or prybar to lever the alternator away from the engine block a little, thereby tightening the belt, then re-tighten the bolt.

[magiceye]

My car is running smoothly without any sound after changing the alternator belt. Thanks a lot for giving me the right suggestion. I really appreciate.

[t_cel_t]

no prob