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Car makes high pitched squeal noise

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Mavrck
Posts: 2765 - Karma: 27
when I start and occasionally when the wheel is turned. I know nothing about cars but it sounds like some sort of belt. its getting really annoying, wondering if anyone had the same thing and if its an easy fix
Jan 6 2010 1:27AM
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knblhjgkfjxdzsg
Posts: 354 - Karma: 491
Loose fan belt
Jan 6 2010 1:27AM
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bhill2.0
Posts: 6573 - Karma: 197
possibly need steering fluid?


Jan 6 2010 1:31AM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
This most likely. Just replace the belt and it should go away.
Jan 6 2010 1:32AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
not so much a loose fan belt but a worn/glazed one. get a new one and watch a video of how to put it on, they're about 20 bucks
Jan 6 2010 1:36AM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
Could also be an alternator belt needing replacement. Do a visual check for wear and you will find out
Jan 6 2010 1:40AM
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primecuts
Posts: 149 - Karma: 20
if its when the wheel is turned then it is def powersteering related. check ur fluid first.
Jan 6 2010 1:44AM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
Older cars have some form of steering belts too don't they?
Jan 6 2010 1:47AM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
not necessarily, the power stearing is run of the belt and when you're turning than you are putting a load on your pump this puts more resistance on the belt and makes it squeal.
Jan 6 2010 1:47AM
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Funnel
Posts: 7815 - Karma: 1,531
Hah. That would be the reason behind my rpms increasing a small amount when I turn the wheel on a park car. Excuse me if that was a really dumb conclusion, I don't know a whole lot about cars.
Jan 6 2010 1:51AM
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creighton
Posts: 3837 - Karma: 3,400
busted rotator splint
Jan 6 2010 1:52AM
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knblhjgkfjxdzsg
Posts: 354 - Karma: 491
Looks like you're better off going to a professional
Jan 6 2010 2:07AM
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Tinga
Posts: 11349 - Karma: 2,333
probably a belt. but its probably just happening now because its cold out. let your car warm up sufficiently before driving. 
Jan 6 2010 2:11AM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
If you're going to do one belt do all of them at the same time. You'll most likely have 2 or 3. No point pulling them off to only put an only one back on that's going to need replacing again.

Before starting do a visual and make sure it looks like the new belts are going to fit. You don't want to have the old ones off and be stuck with the wrong ones.

Make sure you're got the right tools. You'll probably want a small set of spanners so you can get in behind stuff and loosen the tensioners. My car was a pain I had to loosen the tensioner bold less than 1/4 of a turn then flip the spanner and do it again! Also get some CRC or WD40 to spray on the bolts to loosen then up a bit. They tend to gather lots of shit in them.

Don't be alarmed if loosening the tensioner doesn't appear to be loosening the belt. They generally aren't sprung so if you pull the alternator or whatever in the direction to loosen it it'll probably move.

There will probably also be a retaining bolt or something that you need to loosen before you can move the alternator. It's there to keep it in place once the tension is right.

Basically it's a pretty easy job if you are prepared and use common sense, it can also be frustrating if you're working in a cramped engine bay but it's worth it when that horrible squeeling noise is gone! You also don't want a worn belt in winter especially because you'll be using accessories like lights and heaters more. If it snaps you're kinda stuffed because you'll loose all your electrics and your car won't start without a jump.
Jan 6 2010 2:17AM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
Oh and also don't bother with the belt dressing shit you can get in a spray can. It only masks the problem it doesn't fix it.

And yeah, the cold accentuates it, but there is still a problem. It doesn't get better on it's own unfortunately haha
Jan 6 2010 2:19AM
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BravoWhiskey5280
Posts: 4020 - Karma: 520
Could be a problem with the AC. Try turning your AC off before you turn off your car the next time. Next time you start it up and it doesnt make the noise with the AC off then bingo.. Happens all the time in my jeep.
Jan 6 2010 2:30AM
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PaleCelery
Posts: 7228 - Karma: 609
I doubt hes using AC in the winter....
Jan 6 2010 2:32AM
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Mr.Panda
Posts: 17711 - Karma: 564
Click for larger image


A dddduuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... does not compute.
Jan 6 2010 2:35AM
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Mavrck
Posts: 2765 - Karma: 27
actually alotta people use AC in the winter in tandem with the windshield fan to defog the windows it removes alot of moister so the window can't continue to fog. I use it all the time.


Sounds like a belt cause its like a repetitive squeal.

thanks for all the help guys. I'ma have a look and see if I can't fix it without the shop charging me a trillion dollars to look at it
Jan 6 2010 11:05AM
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1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,231
yea i have pretty much the same problem, its something to do with the steering mechanism because it squeeks when the car first turns on and the wheel doesn't turn fluidly until the car warms up.
Jan 6 2010 11:08AM
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snowaddict91
Posts: 223 - Karma: 11
some cars will automatically run the compressor when defrost is on without the ac switch being on, i know mitsubishis do for example

and yeah, depending on your car setup it is probably whichever belt is turning your power steering pump, do you notice its harder to turn the wheel? My car does this first start of the day just about anytime its below 25F, but only for a minute or two
Jan 6 2010 11:19AM
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Mr.Plank
Posts: 535 - Karma: 82
and the whistle goes WOOOO WOOOOOOO!
Jan 6 2010 12:56PM
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KAS
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 68
My car did that, scares the shit out of people  because it was so loud. I got it into the shop, and I think it was some sort of belt. I also had a dead mouse in the air vents.
Jan 6 2010 1:34PM
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Tasche
Posts: 5422 - Karma: 99
If you have the power steering belt off its probably a good time to replace the headlight fluid and prime the transmitter.
Jan 6 2010 1:38PM
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ChipSki
Posts: 327 - Karma: 34
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nnzw_i4YmKk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nnzw_i4YmKk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Jan 6 2010 1:44PM
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squibble
Posts: 4569 - Karma: 104
if its an old car i suggest checked your fan belt anyway. mine broke on the highway and when it snapped it broke another belt, my engine overheated and i had to get it towed home
Jan 6 2010 1:58PM
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sTr8_JiBbiN
Posts: 494 - Karma: 43
dude you said its when you start up and when you turn. check the power steering. or go to a shop and ask them to check it.
Jan 6 2010 2:03PM
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Mavrck
Posts: 2765 - Karma: 27
thanks guys +k for the good help. I was messin with shit today trying to get it to diagnose where its coming from and forwhatever reason when I turn the car on with the fan going it squeals and if I turn the fan off while its squealing the noise stops. but its definitly not coming from inside the car
Jan 7 2010 12:20AM
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WikiWiki
Posts: 5584 - Karma: 426
you blew your motor- happens all the time
Jan 7 2010 12:31AM
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lahnabonny
Posts: 1260 - Karma: 35
It could be the front wheel wells. My car would make this horrid squealing if i turned the steering wheel while it was on and parked. Got it fixed today.. $300 later...
Jan 7 2010 12:37AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37380 - Karma: 119,948
DA WHISTLES GO WOOOOOOOOOOO
Jan 7 2010 12:38AM
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superpoluha
Posts: 1986 - Karma: 10
what my best friend said
Jan 7 2010 12:39AM
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SPECK
Posts: 616 - Karma: 47
try mixing Gatorade in your oil. SMOOOOOTH RIDE
Jan 7 2010 12:40AM
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doublexl
Posts: 8407 - Karma: 27
dude NO FUCKING WAY! my car makes this noise too hahaha weird.
Jan 7 2010 12:43AM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
Its your alternator belt.
It squeels then because you've placed a load on it by turning the fan on.

The air fans are also not related to the fan belts lol
Jan 7 2010 2:02AM
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enick
Posts: 2468 - Karma: 26
THAT'S ONLY IN THA MORNIN'
Jan 7 2010 2:47AM
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Mr.Plank
Posts: 535 - Karma: 82
THEY SHOULD BE UP COOKIN BREAKFAST OR SOMETHING
Jan 7 2010 7:50AM
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primecuts
Posts: 149 - Karma: 20
the serpentine belt tensioner was slightly bent on my first car and that made a squealing noise until i replaced it
Jan 7 2010 8:17AM
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