96 2.2 legacy L_Squeaking sound during start up and turning?

[kTri]

I've had the car almost three years now and i never fixed this problem. I use to think it was the temperature but no. It squeaks alot more during cold weather temps. My brother and I thought that the pulleys needed tightening but when we tried they were as tight already. I know that shes almost due for a new timing belt but I didn't wan to to believe that that was the cause of the noise. If anyone has the right solution please feel free to comment. I would like to fix this soon but be sure of what the issue is.

Thank You!

[harrymaneuvers]

Well if it squeals during start up AND turning I was bet that you DO need to tighten your power steering belt. When was the last time you changed that belt?

[httrdd]

These belts have to be a lot tighter than you think. You should have no slack on the belt.

[chuckthefuk]

or the belt is burnt.. does the wheel feel notchy?

[Wiscon_Mark]

These belts have to be a lot tighter than you think. You should have no slack on the belt.


Make sure not to overtighten - get to the point of "no slack" and stop there.

Also inspect the belts - make sure there aren't too many cracks or uneven bumps on the inside of it. It's a cheap and easy replacement if there are any problem with the old one.

[kTri]

Well if it squeals during start up AND turning I was bet that you DO need to tighten your power steering belt. When was the last time you changed that belt?
I haven't changed them since i got the car back in 2010. I haven't taken a look at the power steering belt yet.

As far as the slack goes there isn't any but the belt has cracks and bumps. I take it i should change both belts huh?

[kTri]

Make sure not to overtighten - get to the point of "no slack" and stop there.

Also inspect the belts - make sure there aren't too many cracks or uneven bumps on the inside of it. It's a cheap and easy replacement if there are any problem with the old one.

I've looked at the cost of belt which seem inexpensive. how long do you suppose this take doing from my own garage?

[chuckthefuk]

5 minutes.

[kTri]

Ok thats not bad.and this is for the timing belt or both.

I saw some instructional videos on the youtube they seem to give a brief example of what it takes to do the belt replacement. I know that the timing replacement needs to be precise when doing due to the computer and pulleys. Is there anything I should remember to know so that I won't have any problems? I will be doing this at my home garage

[chuckthefuk]

accessory belts are external and can be accessed within minutes.

Timing belt requires the timing covers to come off and takes a few hours to change all maintenance items.
-Chuck

[kTri]

Ok I'll keep note of that. I will give it a shot I'm pretty sure one of the two should solve the squeaking and help my subie moving on. Thank you!

And thanks to you all!

[harrymaneuvers]

Yea the squealing is almost certainly coming from the accessory belts... NOT the timing belt...


But out of curiosity, when was the last time the timing belt was done?

[kTri]

Not so sure. I bough the car from a used car lot and after a few weeks to a month I could tell they did not do much work to it. I know by lookin at the timing belt that it is time for a new one. Is it important to know that last change on timing belt was done for the next change?

[Wiscon_Mark]

How are you looking at the timing belt? It's underneath a cover behind the crank pulley. I'm not sure you're referring the right belt.

Plus, a timing belt has teeth, it can't slip & squeal.

And yes, it's absolutely important to know when the timing belt was last serviced. You don't want one to snap on you. On a 96 it probably won't cause the engine to ruin itself, but it's still a nasty thing to happen.

[kTri]

I know where the timing belt is and i was describing that the on I on there now has very little teeth left.

Is there a way to investigate myself when it was last done or should I wait til it snaps then change it.?

[StatGSR]

check the fluid level in your power steering as well....

[harrymaneuvers]

Um... so are you running around without timing belt covers on or did you take off your two accessory belts and remove the timing belt covers to inspect?

If it is already missing teeth then it is absolutely time for a timing belt change. Enough teeth missing and your timing can start jumping.

[Wiscon_Mark]

If there is ANYTHING wrong with your timing belt, get it changed as soon as possible!

[kTri]

Thanks a lot for the advice y'all. The covers are on they always been on. I think I fixed the problem today by tightening the accessory belt. I start it up a few times after and the sound was gone. Drove around today and it's been ok,so far so good. I will see what it does tomorrow. But I think since I don't know anything about the last timing change then I'll probably have to set aside the time to get to it and look at it. It be a Saturday and a 6 pack haha