Engine Squeaking issue with one of the belts or pulleys

ZAC SERHUS

MEMBER
2004 TOYOTA AVALON
3.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
190,379 MILES

Hey there! This thread caught my attention and I thought someone on this site could help with a similar issue I am having. https://www.2carpros.com/questions/ac.

When the car starts, there is a light to moderate squeaking noise that progressively gets louder and will drop off if you let the vehicle sit long enough. This has been going on for about three years now. While driving the squeaking returns when we decelerate. When we turn on the AC, the squeaking is much more 'constant.'

I willl provide a video as well since that seems to be an option.

Let me know if there is any other information I can provide.

Best,
Zac

9 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,904 POSTS

Hi Zac,

Yes, a video would be great so we can tell for sure what the noise is, which sounds like it will be a serpentine belt or a belt tension-er pulley.

To be sure please remove the belt and start the engine to see if the noise is still there. Do not drive the car without the belt on BTW.

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken

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Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 AT 1:39 AM

KEN L

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I have sent a note to our admin, I will let you know.

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Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 AT 2:08 PM

ZAC SERHUS

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Steve and Ken,

. Mp4

Here are the videos, uploaded from laptop.

Have yet to follow through on your initial suggestion Ken.

I will update you as soon as I get the tools to remove the belt. I think I just need a ratchet wrench, it might be awhile.

In the meantime, if these videos provide better insight, please let me know any other suggestions you might have.

Best,
Zac

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Monday, July 30th, 2018 AT 10:40 PM

ZAC SERHUS

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5 POSTS

It looks like only one video can be uploaded at a time. This is the second video with the AC being turned on.

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Monday, July 30th, 2018 AT 10:47 PM

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
12,974 POSTS

In the words of the Grinch, Make it stop! God I hate that sound.
That is belt squeal, What happens is that the belt ridges will wear into wedge shapes and no longer grip the pulleys properly and you get squeal. It gets worse with the AC on because that increases the load on the belt, plus it raises the electrical power used so the alternator also increases its load.
New belts and cleaning the pulleys with a wire brush to remove any belt debris on them should quiet it down. There are two versions of the front drive on that car, it looks like you have the earlier two belt system with a wide serpentine belt in the front and a narrower belt in the rear. As you will have the front belt off, replacing both is a good idea.
The tensioner bolt will either be on top or down to the side. The pivot bolt needs to be loosened first though. The power steering will be similar but on the back side.

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