High-pitched engine squeal at cold startup?

snagiel

when starting up on a cold morning, when first cranking the engine, there's a short (1-3 second) high-pitched squeel that comes out. What's the cause?

newcar31

mrdetailer

That's what it was when it occurred on my cars. May also be some tensioner arms that need replacement.

swschrad

I have a lot of tensioner idler wheels squeal on my cars when cold, after a car wash, when I pick my nose, etc.

one or two drops of oil behind the idler on the bearing stops it for a month or two. big old squirts of oil will glop up the belt, and you will never be rid of the squealing and flinging, so don't try overkill.

brorjace

Yup, it's the belts. You can try some 'belt dressing' but use it sparingly as it can get all over the place.

--- Bror Jace

amorales

I had a '90 Plymouth Sundance that squealed at start-up, used Zest soap bar and squeal went away. BE ULTRA CAREFUL when applying soap bar to belts with engine idling. The belt dressing is messy, glue all over the place.

lonesomeduv

What if it's more of a high pitched grinding noise? Could that be the same thing? I've noticed that lately on my 96 Maxima. It only seems to happen on cold starts.

andys120

it was diagnosed at the shop as a bad electric cooling fan. The ACC turns on the a/c at startup if it isn't real cold which causes the fan to come on. It's pretty noisy but manually switching off the fan does make it go away immediately. New fan ($$$!) coming in next week.
I'll repost and let you kno how it works.

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, you never, ever want to touch a fan belt when the engine is running. I got this straight from my 4 & 1/2 fingered friend Stevie. (boat engine)

swschrad

no, you want to spray down the belt with the mill stopped, and the pulleys will spread the still-damp friction material when you hop right over to the open window and turn the key.

your friend was lucky they don't call him "lefty."

jgmilberg

I forgot about a squeal coming from a bad clutch fan, the part that the fan blades mount to the water bump. It is a fluid coupling that engages and disengages the fan blades based on temp, it helps out fuel economy. These are many times overlooked by even the most experienced mechanics. They can cause big problems if not replaced, like killing a water pump bearing, or if let go long enough I have seen them let loose and the fan goes bouncing around in the shroud, if it holds up to the abuse.

swschrad

I check mine at least every summer for ovbious fluid leaks on the back, and turn the fan by hand to insure there is slight friction in the clutch and that it is smooth without wobbles. haven't had to deal with a clutch replacement in 35 years, but if they seize or leak enough to be unbalanced, it ain't pretty on the bottom line.

yes, all known keys to the car are in my pocket, ignition switch in LOCK, and the doors are locked for a very good reason any time I reach into Moving Parts Land; thanks for thinking about it, I appreciate it.

andys120

Just to let you know that having a new electric fan installed cured the noise I was getting when starting my '98 A4. It set me back around $400, including labor

vetteryan

If it sounds like a high-pitched whine, it is probably my girlfriend!