bhk1004

iTrader: (6)

Hey guys

Recently with the cold weather, my engine has begun to squeel at low speeds. around up to 30 mph, and sometimes higher. i am curious if this is the timing belt that needs to be replaced? i thought the timing belt replacement is around 100k... and im at 75. Just wondering if there could be other things i should look at also. Thx for any help.

Gingervitis526

iTrader: (19)

we dont have timing belts, we have timing chains. So you dont have to worry about that until way later on down the road. It could be anyone of your accessory belts though. Do the belts look old, like cracked and what not?

bhk1004

iTrader: (6)

hmmz maybe... i havent check it recently... the thing is its soft when im iddling, then itll get really loud till like 30-40 then just go away. lol does rpms/speed affect the accessory belts?

Bret86944

iTrader: (4)

Have you ever changed your accessory belt? Yes rpm affects the belts because the are linked to the crankshaft. If they have been recently changed then you need to tighten them up, if they haven't been changed and you are at 75k, replace them asap.

bhk1004

iTrader: (6)

kk tyvm, i havent changed them out yet. do you think reading a do it yourself guide and doing it would be okay? or should I pay soimeone to swap it out for me?

Chef-J

iTrader: (58)

Retight them.

Gingervitis526

iTrader: (19)

Belt Replacement DIY with pics

If you dont have any wrenchin skillz at all, you might want to pay someone... imo its not too hard and I just started working on cars less than a year ago.

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

All you need to do is remove your undertray and tighten the belt tensioners (in the link above he refers to them as "adjuster bolts"). There are two (2) total.

Link from the other thread:

bhk1004

iTrader: (6)

so what your saying wtih my mileage is that i dont need to replace it? just survive the blistering cold in jersey... jack my car up and roll around on the concrete for a bit and ill be aite? ^_^

nothix

iTrader: (27)

Just change them, if you never have.
Almost the exact same work (hardest part is taking off engine cover and jacking up car)

guitman32

iTrader: (15)

Inspect the belts. If you observe cracking and general wear and tear on either side of the belt (esp the ribbed side), then definitely replace. But, like nothix said above, it is an extremely easy job and if you're down there you might as well change them.

DeBru_Z

iTrader: (5)

I get the sqeal also when it's cold. Seems to go away after not too long. I've got 20,000 miles on my car, so I doubt the belts need replacing already.
The noise doesn't hang around very long in my case.

3hree5ive0ero

iTrader: (95)

Tighten the belts back to spec, if they aren't cracking or seem worn out. If they do look old, then you should replace them. Stop posting about how they're squealing and just go do it. It'll solve your problems. It takes 5 minutes at max to retighten and maybe 10 minutes to replace.

BTW, mileage is just a rough estimate of when you should replace it. Go by the condition of the belts, not by mileage count.

j.arnaldo

That's s-q-u-e-a-l and r-e-t-i-g-h-t-e-n, dudes!