Squealing engine, no one knows why

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My car engine squeals like mad in the mornings, once the temperature is lower than about 12 degrees. Its also worse if I put the lights on.

It seems to kick in on the first turn of the steering wheel (so as I exit my driveway), squeals like mad, if I do nothing it carries on for about a minute and then just abruptly stops. If I switch off the lights briefly it stops. Although sometimes it happens without the lights being on. There is a sensation of "freedom" when it stops, like it was holding the car back or something, but Im not sure if thats just my imagination because its stressful listening to it wake the whole estate!

It stops happening around May and kicks in again on colder mornings around this time, it will get much worse over winter but when it gets really cold it doesnt happen as often.

Its seen 3 different mechanics for it. Ive had the fan belt changed, then adjusted - no joy. Ive had the alternator belt adjusted. No joy. I cant remember what the other guy tried.

Because it only happens starting from cold for a minute or so its never actually happening when I arrive at the mechanics. And then when I collect it later its not cold enough for it to happen leaving there so its the next morning before it happens again.

Im baffled - any ideas to suggest, its beginning again now having been non squealy all summer.

Max Moment

Sounds very much like a slipping or loose belt. Particularly as it happens when the temperature is getting colder.

Maybe leave it with a mechanic over night and he can replicate the issue when he starts it himself first thing next morning?

Spook_ie

Max Moment wrote: »

Sounds very much like a slipping or loose belt. Particularly as it happens when the temperature is getting colder.

Maybe leave it with a mechanic over night and he can replicate the issue when he starts it himself first thing next morning?

+1 Sounds like a belt, the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioning most likely use a belt to drive them ( depending on make, model etc. ) any of them could cause the problem and also it could well be the actual alternator, water pump, power steering pump or air conditioning unit it self causing the problem.

my3cents

It could also be the alternator bearings or bearings on any of the other attached belt equipment.

As it gets louder when the lights go on them I'd be thinking aux belt and or alternator bearings.

Edit> a bit of belt slip spray might eliminate the belt as being the problem and it may be possible to spray a lubricant on the front alternator bearing to see if the noise changes thats only a test not a fix. btw I wouldn't put it past any mechanic to replace the belts with the wrong ones so can never say for sure its not the belts if replacing them doesn't fix the problem.

When I had a similar problem I ran the engine with the aux belt removed and the problem went away so at least I knew it was the belt or something it was turning.

coolbeans

Kid or kitten?!😋

In past it's been fan belt for me but three mechanics later... Type of car?

Alanstrainor

Make, model, year and engine in car please.

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Its a 2007 Suzuki Swift, 1.3lr.

Started happening 2 winters ago.

Alanstrainor

Quick google...

http://www.suzukiswift.info/tightening-a-squealing-belt/

CJhaughey

If they are V belts not multi rib type, over time the pulleys can become worn and enlarged, this means that even new belts won't grip correctly and will slip and squeal.
It might just be a semi seized tensioner that can't tension the belt correctly.

corks finest

Spook_ie wrote: »

Max Moment wrote: »

Sounds very much like a slipping or loose belt. Particularly as it happens when the temperature is getting colder.

Maybe leave it with a mechanic over night and he can replicate the issue when he starts it himself first thing next morning?

+1 Sounds like a belt, the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and air conditioning most likely use a belt to drive them ( depending on make, model etc. ) any of them could cause the problem and also it could well be the actual alternator, water pump, power steering pump or air conditioning unit it self causing the problem.

Same problem with a Suzuki swift , changed belts,, still squealing , op it needs to be stripped down ,pulleys belts etc to see what's wrong,or you will damage pump,alternator ,I'm away back Monday to garage I bought it from, under warranty

I thought mechanic stethoscopes were a thing? Would this not identify the part or belt the sound is coming from?

Autochange

Take the belt off. Start the car . Basics people basics

Harry Palmr

But it'll explode! (no it won't)

Just get someone else to start the car, you get your head under the bonnet and listen with a pipe (vacuum, toilet roll, whatever) until you isolate the noise. Then switch off and remove belt and see what happens on restart. Cold temps tends to bring out the noise, as is the case with groans and clunks from suspension elements, interior trim etc.

discodaveirl

Has it done this from day one or after you replaced a component?

RICARDO1982

Try 2 genuine Suzuki fanbelts, check the pulleys. Also they may need a few adjustments before they settle .As the fan belts surface matches the pulleys they will become loose and need another little tighten (being careful not to overtighten). If there is corrosion or damage to the pulleys, they will cause the fan belts to wear prematurely. These fan belts are not self tensioning if my memory serves me correctly.

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discodaveirl wrote: »

Has it done this from day one or after you replaced a component?

It just started happening randomly the winter before last.

corks finest

....... wrote: »

discodaveirl wrote: »

Has it done this from day one or after you replaced a component?

It just started happening randomly the winter before last.

Sorted my squealing car,,,,, tensioner pulley