Squeaky engine......

[threlevenguy]

Hey everyone,
Since it has been freezing outside, the front of my engine has been
squeaking badly upon start-up. However, I do not think it is the belts.
Someone told me it could possibly a belt tensioner, has anyone had a
squeaky tensioner before? My car doesn't have A/C or power steering
so I suppose that rules out those belt tensioners.

Also, if I were to replace a tensioner, which one would I need to search for because I have an M50 head with an M52 block?

Thanks R3V

[Need4Speed1299]

Our cars dont have a tentioner. I have no a/c or power steering and am experiencing the same thing. Its also very cold where Im at. It goes away when r3ved up. My belts are good & tight(haha x2). I dont think its from slipping.

[mr.vang]

same here.. any clue???

[JasonC]

Get a bar of soap and rub it on your belts.

[mr.vang]

Get a bar of soap and rub it on your belts.

does it really work? i only have one belt, it's the alternator belt.

[threlevenguy]

Bar of soap? Hmm.. the squeaking is so annoying and so rediculously loud.

[Need4Speed1299]

Mines kind of noisy but not loud. You may have a loose or worn belt.

[threlevenguy]

Is the only way to tell it's worn is by it freying (sp?) in some places? Also, how would I go about tightening?

[lga714]

I have an S50 but was having the same issue. WD40 would cure it for 2 minutes then it would come back. The sound stopped not long after it stopped raining.

[mikeedler]

its prob. the waterpump bearing- they seem to get a bit loud in the cold.
also, there is a tensioner/oller, but its on the timing belt- could be that too, but mostly its the waterpump or the alt. belt.

[325ix]

Is the only way to tell it's worn is by it freying (sp?) in some places? Also, how would I go about tightening?

Don't think you can, you will have to replace it if it is loose.

[threlevenguy]

How much play should the belt have for it to be considered loose?

[expressfish]

3/4 -1 " <<< correct me if Im wrong ? Mine was squeaking bad this morn too, I think it has to do with the humidity and temp. Goes away after warm up.

[barry]

Belts, Water pump, Alternator bearing, A/C Clutch, can cause foreign noises.

[dreamer420]

its prob. the waterpump bearing- they seem to get a bit loud in the cold.
also, there is a tensioner/oller, but its on the timing belt- could be that too, but mostly its the waterpump or the alt. belt.

he said hes got an M50 head on an M52 block. that would be a timing chain right?

and there are a few ways to tell if a belt is worn, they dont always fray. they can dry rot which means theyll have cracks in it. also if they are shiny on the top side they are worn.

belts are so cheap (usually less than 10$) theres no reason to try to prolong their life with 'belt dressing' or anything else. those will ultimately dry them out more. a new belt squeaking usually means its too tight or too loose, but sometimes they might still squeek, so use the soap bar method.