intermittent squeal on startup

[gkainz]

Hey guys - sorry that I only show up here when I have questions, but just too busy to follow another forum regularly. Anyway, kid's 95 SL2 has developed an intermittent squeal on startup, lasts maybe 3-5 seconds. A/C on or off makes no difference.

Belt is less than a year old, power steering pump is maybe 2, and alternator maybe 3 years old. Water pump and belt tensioner are unknown age, as they were on the junk yard engine I stuck in it a while back.

Any suggestions on how to isolate the culprit, as it only lasts a short time and doesn't do it every startup?

Thanks!
Greg

[fdryer]

The junk yard engine has the original belt tensioner and most likely lost its 'springiness', its ability to maintain tension in the belt system. If you can depress the belt between the pulleys with just your fingers and easily deflect the belt, the tensioner is worn out otherwise the replacement belt may be a bit too long and either way (worn out tensioner or longer belt) just allows belt slippage resulting in belt squealing.

[gkainz]

Thanks - I compared the tensioners on the j/y engine and the 2 year old Autozone tensioner on the blown up engine before putting the j/y engine in the car, and it seemed to me that the j/y one felt stronger. I still have the autozone one sitting in a box, so I'll go check out the tensioner and swap them if the old one seems to be loose.

[ssicarman]

Check out the idler pulley. They have been known to have start up squeal noise that lasts 2-5 seconds.

[mr18436572]

Probably tensioner

[maad7272]

I just went through this ordeal last week. I replaced the power steering pump while it was off I gave the Alt a spin since it sits just below the PS well guess what SQUEAK!!!! It did not stop there the squeak did get less however still would hit a few times on every trip. The next day I replaced the tensioner pulley problem solved. Did I mention that when I bought this car 2 weeks ago the guy told me it was the idler pulley so I replaced it and new belt but no stopping the squeal mobile. Anyway I say all this to say check the tensioner pulley they go out and squeal like a MUGG. Now my wife does not mind the 50 mile commute each way to work every morning. It also helps that we are averaging 32 mpg!!!!!

[2NDSOUT]

I would suggest that you change the Serp Belt as well. Replacing the Belt Tensioner and/ Idler pulley at the same time will warrant that you will have gotten rid of the startup squeal...

As mentioned; the Belt Tensioner looses it's springiness after a while. Leaving an old belt on will just increase the further wearing the belt out which could lead to a broken serp belt, which would leave you stranded.

Gatorback belts (Goodyear) are a good replacement and go for ~$25