Squealing and "Flapping" noise

Tiny
BRUMMET
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  • 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 169,000 MILES
Hello! I was driving to work earlier this evening and my car made a new noise. There was a squealing coming from under the hood, which has been relatively normal when it is cold out. Today, however, I noticed it was worse than usual. I figured I had a belt that was going bad. However, when I was almost at work (I have a 30–40-minute commute) the squealing stopped and now it can be described as only a flapping noise. That is not the best description, but it is all I got because I have never heard this noise coming from my car. It almost sounds like a really old beater when it revs, but you would have to hear it to understand what I mean most likely. Anyways, I have another 40-minute commute home in the morning, and I am really concerned about how safe it is going to be to drive this car home. It isn't any of the belts that I could physically get to under the hood, and it should not be the timing belt because A) it still drove the last mile without an issue and B) I just had the timing belt replaced not even a year ago along with the entire water pump assembly. Any ideas? Thank you ahead of time.
Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 7:17 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
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Hello,

You might want to open the hood and inspect the serpentine belt. It is possible that it is shredded and the flapling noise the belt hitting something.

It will be a good idea to inspect under the hood, especially the belt, as well as look for anything unusual or out of place. Check the oil to make sure it is not low and creating noise.

If the belt is damaged you do not want to drive without fixing it first, to prevent damage.

Please let me know what you find or if you have any questions.
Thank you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-serpentine-belt-works
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
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Hello, thank you so much for responding so quickly! I did check under the hood, and it seemed like the 2 (?) Belts I could see were fine. They felt like there was tension when I gave them a little tug because that was my assumption first as well. I could go check the oil when I get a minute at work but I just got an oil change at the end of December so I do not think it is that as well, but I will check.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
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Sure, no problem.
See if you can hear the noise with the engine running and the hood open.
Also if possible upload video so we can hear the noise, possibly with the hood open as well.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
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I will do that as soon as I get a second at work!
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
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Sounds good. I will look out for it.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:28 PM
Tiny
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Well, I think I found the problem! The question now is: can I get home? I’m 20 something miles away in another city for work, and my wife works in the morning so she can’t come get me. I can drive her car to work this weekend and I can get it dropped off Monday morning but I’m kind of out of luck until then as far as getting it home.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
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Sorry, I don't know why the video did not upload the first time. Uploading now.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
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While I wait for that, I can describe it to you. One of the accessory belts is vibrating back and forth while it runs, that's what is making the sound.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
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I haven't seen the video yet. But if the belt is vibration back and forth it could be due to a loose pulley. Any time you have issues with the belt, it is best not to drive unless you are able to fix the issue. Because the belt can come at any moment on the road and get you stranded and can-do other damage.
See if you can tell which pulley might be loose.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
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Here, maybe?
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
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Got the video. It is surprising that the belt did not break off.
I would not recommend driving the vehicle in this condition. The last thing you want is to have a broken belt and get stranded somewhere in the cold and bad weather.

Are you able to tell if the belt has proper tension or which pulley that might be loose?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
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I cannot based on my extremely brief look. I can have it towed in the morning, I guess.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
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It is always to keep in mind of safety first. Let me know how it goes.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
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Is this something that could be remedied relatively easily? If it is a loose pulley, can I just get in there with some hand tools and tighten it or is this something that requires some expertise and advanced equipment?
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:26 PM
Tiny
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Like, if it is as easy as just tightening the belt, I can probably do that pretty easily if I had my socket set with me. Then I could avoid a $150.00 tow charge.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:31 PM
Tiny
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It is likely little more than just tightening the belt.
By the way, does the belt appear to be too loose, with the engine off.

Looking at the diagram, I think that belt that is making the noise is for the A/C. So, it primarily runs the A/C.
It should go around the A/C compressor and the crankshaft and an idler pulley.
So, if you can remove that belt, you will be able to drive the vehicle without worrying about it braking as you are driving. Also, since this is the A/C belt, it will not affect anything besides that it will not turn the compressor (which will be no A/C, but that should not be an issue with this weather).
The issue is that belt can only be removed if the other larger belt gets removed first. Which you cannot do without tools.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:39 PM
Tiny
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I see, what kind of tools are we talking about? I can get a socket set, if need be, and I found a tutorial for changing a 2004 Forester's belts that I will link below. If it is the A/C belt, I can remove it and then order a new one and replace it myself. But as far as getting home, if a socket set is all that is standing in my way, then that is more than doable.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:42 PM
Tiny
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That instruction is the same one for your vehicle.
So yes, if you can remove the belt then it can be driven without worrying about the belt snapping off and causing issues. Especially the broken belt can get tied up on the other belt and damage it or break it.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:44 PM
Tiny
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You, my man, are an absolute gem. I am going to try and get a hold of maintenance and get myself a socket set so I can hopefully get home. I will keep you updated! Again, I cannot thank you enough.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:45 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome. I do hope you are able to get this done.
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Thursday, February 3rd, 2022 AT 11:47 PM

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