SQUEAL from engine on cold start....please help!!
 

Hi friends, i have a an impreza wrx 53 plate bugeye.
iv recently had a full service and a full cam-belt kit change, but now when i start my engine from COLD, i get i repetitive chirping sound from the engine bay for about 10mins until the engine gets reasonably warm. its fine after that, so i think something is expanding with the heat. iv stood around and looked in awe numerous times to try and find it.

iv tried making the alternator work a little harder by switching everything on.
iv tried the power steering by putting it on full-lock either way.
I'm pretty sure its not the air-con.
iv done all my general car checks etc.

I'm under the impression it may be a belt/bearing rubbing,.. in my own opinion. but how can i check and locate these bearings???? sorry I'm not really car savvy,.. i would appreciate any help as it hasn't gotten worse, but its been bugging me for over a month..

it sounds as if it may be coming from the right-centre of the engine, underneath a little

thanx in advance

Did they change cam tensioners when they did the belt? They are located at the front of the engine, and are often in need of replacing when the belt's done. If they weren't, could be that one is about to give up the ghost. Or it might be a noisy new one, in which case go back to the garage that did it and ask them to check it?

They removed the alternator and power steering belts to do the cambelt, so check the tension of both these. Too tight and they'll load the bearings, too loose and they'll slip, especially the alternator belt after a cold start and/or when loaded with a lot of current drain. If it's not these then it's going to be under the cambelt covers! That's a trip back to the sevicing garage.

JohnD

the AC belt tensioner roller can make a noise

My guess would be alternator belt.

thanx for the time guys i appreciate it, i did have new tentioners fitted and i did wonder if it were those. iv got a couple of hours spare tomorrow to have a play around.. this might sound silly but how can i check the tension on my belts correctly? is it just a case of, if they feel a little tight/loose with my hand or is it a little more complex? also is it simple enough to adjust them myself without worrying about screwing it up?.. thanks buds

53 plate but..............must be one of the last registered :D

Shaun

Yeah! An 03 plate I can imagine! It must have been hanging around a dealers, feeling all sad and rejected!
They're liked more now than they were then!

JohnD

You should be able to move the belt in and out about 10mm reaonably easily on its longest run.

JohnD

Probably id alternator belt. The multi ribbed belts have a habbit of squelling unless there almost over tight. Ive fitted some goodyear gatorback belts to try them. Use on my own car before fitting to customers. I must say im impressed with them

Check the tensioner for the AC unit aswell, mine squeeks a bit and when driving makes a noise like a supercharger when driving, You can wobble it about a little.

Also might be worth just slackening the belts slightly to see if the noise eases or remove one and then the other and listen for noises.