Car engine squeeling as I drive

horseofstone

I'm driving a mark 1 almera and I've noticed when I drive it sometimes particularly in wet weather , the engine screeches or squeals for about a mile or so then it stops.What would be the reason for this ?

Shpongler

The alternator belt is loose or needs replacing

kirving

Your car has a rubber (and metal) belt that's driven by the engine, and is used to run things like power steering, coolant pump and alternator. (Each car will vary, as some now have electric power steering instead.)

When the belt gets old, the rubber is less taught, may dry out somewhat.

This is expected to happen, so there's a spring loaded tensioner that will keep pressure on the belt and ensure it can contact each pulley with enough force so that it doesn't slip.

Over time, the belt gets looser and the tensioner can only take up a certain amount of slack. At this point a new belt will be required.

The reason you're hearing it now, is that cold weather will make the rubber in the belt less flexible, and dampness will let it slip more easily.

It's not uncommon to have the coolant (water) pump replaced at the same time as the belt. The bearings and seals in the pump often fail, and make the water pump more difficult to turn than when it was new (and lead to the belt slipping on this pulley.

horseofstone

Shpongler wrote: »

The alternator belt is loose or needs replacing

Thanks for the help lads,it was the alternator belt alright.I got a mechanic to tighten it.It only cost me a tenner.Car going great againðŸ‘