The Drift Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 So I have a 97 that has developed a cold start issue that is driving me insane. It's been doing this for a bit but has gotten way worse as the weather gets colder. Upon startup, only a cold start though really, the engine squeals fairly loud from the front end at about 1500RPMS then speeds up with the engine as it revs up to aout 2000RPMS. The squeal then stops, the engine stays at about 2000rpms for a minute or so or until I put her in gear. Now the colder it gets the longer the squeal sticks around. It's obnoxious as hell and I cannot figure it out. The only thing I have ruled out is the Fan clutch, as that has recently been replaced. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUELER Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 power steering belt? Belts squeal when they are loose, and then grab (stop squealing) once they warm up. Try ttightening your belts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Drift Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 I guess that is a possibility. Just did almost all my belts in March, but you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonianbrat Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I am willing to bet it is one of your belts. I had a similar problem it started just like yours but the problem got worse. I tried to cover it up with some belt dressing because I knew I was going to be replacing the belts soon when I did my t-belt change. it is an easy fix if your belt is loose. To check it just push on your belts and see how far it "deflects" I am not sure of the exact measurment of deflection but I think it is like 1/4 inch? Do not quote me on that. Just remember that the power steering belt is down below. That is the one that was loose on my truck. After I installed the t-belt it would squeal for like a second or two at startup then stop turns out it was the PS belt being loose. That is the only one that is kind of a pain to tighten. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Yep my vote is on the belts right now too. Since you replaced them not long ago, check the tension and tighten them up if need be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuismO Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 Yep my vote is on the belts right now too. Since you replaced them not long ago, check the tension and tighten them up if need be i agree. i did my t-belt and drive belts in june. i retightened them a day later as they stretched and started to squeal on cold starts. retightened them last month as they squealed a tad again on cold starts, the stretched a little bit more...hopefully it won't come back, i don't want to tighten them to the point where they might break sooner than expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Drift Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 Ok, after everything I've read I agree, my belts are more than likely loose. They were replaced in march so they have probably stretched. Will I have to actually adjust the alternator, water pump, etc whatever it may be or will I have idler arms (that is what they are called right?) that I can adjust them at. I haven't gotten under the hood of this beast enough yet to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_stryker Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 u want a little play in the belts but not too much. if they still squeel after you do new belts, worth a look into the bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonianbrat Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I wish I was at home I would take some pics for ya, And I can not visualize exactly which bolts to tighten. YOu do have idler arms for two of the belts, the power steering belt is tightened by it's own bolt underneath. Best bet is to check your FSM. Or just get under there, I know once you find the power steering pump it is just on the driver side of it close to your fender-well. And yes it is kind of a bitc* to tighten as there is not much room in there. The other two belts are easily tightened. If you get under the hood and look at the idler arms you should be able to tell which one tightens it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mws Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 I would focus your attention on the belt going to the alternator. Right after you start, the alternator has to put out major juice to re-charge the battery. All that load means the belt is more likely to squeal. And as it gets colder, the starter draws more current so pulls the battery down further so the alternator has to work harder to recharge. Makes sense, eh? As soon as the battery recovers a bit, the load goes down so the belt stops squealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tx_flatlander Posted October 26, 2006 Share Posted October 26, 2006 Is it a squeel, or a whine? A month or so ago mine developed a rather annoying whine, similar to a SC noise. I tried tightning belts, no dice. Then i felt of my AC/fan belt tensioner and it was warm. Sure enough i pulled the pulley and spun it in my hand. Bearings were shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Drift Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 I would focus your attention on the belt going to the alternator.Right after you start, the alternator has to put out major juice to re-charge the battery. All that load means the belt is more likely to squeal. And as it gets colder, the starter draws more current so pulls the battery down further so the alternator has to work harder to recharge. Makes sense, eh? As soon as the battery recovers a bit, the load goes down so the belt stops squealing. That makes sense. I'll be taking a look tonight or tomorrow. I have to fix this before next week though, because I have surgery and doubt I'll be gimping my way out to work on the truck...then again it would be a good way to kill time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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