Hi everyone

Info about car:
I have a 03 wrx with about 91k miles on it. The timing belt was changed at the service interval at 60k?(or whenever you're supposed to change it. I forgot the interval on that).

Problem:
The problem I've been having recently is that the belts squeal. I think its one of the belts other than the timing belt. When I turn on the car the squeal immediately starts, but it isn't ear piercing. It's just a squeal that annoys you. When I rev the engine the belt squeal seems to go away, or it could be because I'm revving the engine it makes more noise which doesn't allow me to hear the belt squeal. another weird thing is when I turn on the headlights, the squeal gets a little louder, but when I turn off the low beams/high beams, the squeal is more quiet, but still there.

I've done a couple of searches and I've found out that some people have a problem with the power steering belt, and some people have a problem with the AC tensioner pulley, since it is not a self adjusting one like most other makers.

Is it the belts that need replacement? Or the tensioners/idler pulleys/power steering pump pulley that needs tightening? Or some pulleys that need to all together be replaced?

If it helps that I take a video of whats going on I could do that but I thought I'd just post up a thread for now to see what people think.

And there seems to be a super high pitch screech that seems to be coming from the alternator..is that normal?

Thanks in advance!

NOTE: I'd also like to add, the other day I "test drove" the car and even when it was warmed up, it was still squealing a little bit.

 

Check your belts for cracks. I had the same issue and it turned out to be a cracked belt.

 

It wouldn't be the timing belt because timing belts usually have teeth in them so they can't slip. And if it did slip constantly like that, this post would say "WTB: Engine". I actually don't know what the belt system looks like under the hood because I just bought my car a week ago, and it's in the shop at the moment. However, it sounds to me like you have a loose or worn alternator belt, or power steering belt, or ac belt (or serpentine belt, if there's one that runs all of those things). One way you can tell is by looking at the belts. Slipping belts get a glaze on them from the friction sometimes. Another way is to take a spray bottle with water. Mist one of the belts and see if the noise gets louder. If it does, that's your belt.

 

Also, last time I had a pulley problem, the pulley basically was barely moving and it smelled pretty awful of burnt rubber, so you'd probably know if that were the problem. You might want to try tightening whatever belt you find thats slipping (as long as the belt looks healthy otherwise). If you can't tighten it enough to make it stop squealing, replace it.

 

my car had a similar problem and it was becasue my AC kompresor went out so i had the belt removed and it went away might be that

 

1) Check belts. Spraying some belt-eze or lubricant or whatever that crap is to find problem area (yeah this is not a good or permanent solution I know, but it can help determine the location of the problem).

2) Check ac tensioner- often times this gets stripped out after a few belt changes and it might not be tightening like you think it is anymore.

3) Check ac idler pulley- they have a history of failure I believe.

Oh and kompressor =! compressor.

 

Oh! and I'd like to add, as soon as I turn off the engine, the squeal is the worst! as soon as I turn off the engine, it's like a dying squeal that gets louder until all the pulleys stop moving..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv5bc3Ndrgg

the squeal is somewhat similar to that noise and level as soon as I turn off the engine..

Thanks for the replies guys!

Also, one of my pullies( i think it's the power steering pump pulley) moves a little bit like this..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_m2c...eature=related

it's not as bad as the video but it wiggles a bit, does that mean I need a new pump or pulley?

 

I think my problem has been solved...I see a cracked PS-alternator belt..lol

hopefully theres no more squeal in the morning.

 

Hey steeze,

I had this happen to me a few months ago and it was my alternator failing, hope it's not the same for you.

good luck nonetheless.

 

Just tighten the belts, you have to do this from time to time as they stretch out and subaru decided it'd be a good idea to not use an automagic tensioner.