tercel idling funny and making squeeling noise on take off.

[phyl26]

If anyone out there knows about cars can you tell me why my toyota starts idling bad sometimes when I first start it up and engine is cold. Once its warm, it stops. One more thing. Lately right when I go to take off after being parked a pretty good while somewhere in front of my car it makes a kinda squeeling noise. I'd appreciate any advise anyone could give me on this. It's a91 Toyota Tercel DL

[Duffman]

Mine does the same thing in the cold and my mechanic told me not to worry about it. The squeeling is your drive belt. All you need to do is tighten it up some.

[phyl26]

I was a little worried about the squeeling noise. I am no mechanic and I gotta take my car in to be fixed on for anything. Do you have an idea as to how much they would charge to do that? Also, someone suggested that I may need a tuneup. This could be possible. I bought car in 2003 and have never had it tuned up and don't know when last owner did.

[Shakes]

I just bought a 91 tercel. This is what I had done to it to makes sure it is safe for the road: Change the oil, air filter, pcv valve, spark plugs, inspect cap and rotor, adjust the throttle position sensor/idle, check and adjust timing if necessary, inspect brakes, change tranny fluid, check differential fluid, inspect tire wear and alignment, coolant flush, chassis lube and inspection, inspect belts vacume hoses coolant hoses and exposed electrical lines. Inspect exhaust for leeks. If the car has more than 80K consider doing the timing belt.

If you plan on owning the car for a while this should be WELL worth it. Find a good local mechanic these things ARE NOT that hard to work on. The dealer will rip you a new one if you try to get all this stuff done there. It was worth doing this to my car. I will get another 100,000 out of it hopefully. It's a tough little car! I like it more and more every day.

If nothing else make sure to change your oil, have the belts inspected, get the idle adjusted, get spark plugs and have them inspect the cap and rotor. This should address the squeel and your rough idle.

[phyl26]

Yeah, I have had work done on it since buying. Had timing belt put on, motor mounts, tranny flush, new tires all the way around, always keep the oil changed every 3,000, new radiator and coolant. No tune up though! Took it by my mechanic today and he said tune up too! He said the squeeling was from turning power steering or wheels to tight and I noticed when I don't turn the wheels to far in one direction, I don't get the noise, but.... that doesn't mean that that is what it is. Drive belt, possibly? Anyway, guess I/m getting a tune up! Car has 100,000 miles on it.