Sqeal when accelerating - not serpentine belt

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KC Strip

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I have a 1994 Olds Cutlass Supreme 3.1L with 186,000 miles. Last week it started making a squeal when I would accelerate from either a complete stop or a slow turn. If the car is in neutral or in park, the squeal cannot be heard. Also, I replaced the belt tensioner and serpentine belt two days ago. Any thoughts on what it could be? I'm really baffled right now.

Thanks!
 
I hate to ask this, but is the power steering drive off the same belt as the alternator and air? May be a separate belt that is the culprit. Some engines have the PS on another belt.
 
if you just replaced the belt and tensioner 2 days ago and its squealing then i would suspect a defective belt or tensioner. or maybe you got some grease on the belt.
 
Those certainly are possibilities. I will check them out. However, the squeal happens when the engine is mostly warm and on for half a second to a second and then is gone. It does not make the sound when in park or in neutral - even when I rev up the engine to over 4000 rpms.
 
One other note - the serpentine belt is on the passenger side of the engine and the squeal seems to be coming from the driver's side of the engine. Thoughts?
 
Everything seems to be working as it should. The squeal will happen with or without the A/C on. The car isn't losing power, so I don't think it's the alternator. This is perplexing!
 
Could the engine be shifting in its mounts on acceleration and something rubbing? I once had a problem with my car dying when I tried to back up my driveway into the garage. The engine was shifting just enough to rub the ignition wire bare and then short out under a brace. Trust me, it took a long time to find the problem. Finally had my son watch with the hood up while I pulled against the brake. He saw the sparks. I check, and taped the wire and fixed the problem.
 
Joel:

I'll check the idler pulley. But my question is - would I hear the squeal even when the car is in park or neutral and the engine is revved up? Also, isn't the idler pulley part of the belt tensioner assembly? If so, I just replaced it.
 
Schmoe - I'll try that. Not to sound too ignorant . . . how would I go about checking the bearings on the alternator?
 
quote:
Originally posted by KC Strip:
Joel:

I'll check the idler pulley. But my question is - would I hear the squeal even when the car is in park or neutral and the engine is revved up? Also, isn't the idler pulley part of the belt tensioner assembly? If so, I just replaced it.
Click to expand...
If your 3.1 has an idler, they are a stationary pulley that the flat side of the serp belt usually rides on. Either way you may want to pull the belt back off and get a feel by giving all the pullies a spin (the ones that will spin)

Joel
 
Okay, Joel, I'll spin all the pullies and see what happens. It's my wife's car and she's at work right now. So I'll have to wait till she gets home and the car cools down (no sense burning myself unnecessarily).
 
When you have a chance, Schmoe, could you tell me how to check the alternator bearings? Thanks!!
smile.gif
 
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