i think my power steering belt is on its way out, or def. needs to be tightened, because it started out that when i would turn the wheel hard it would squeal, then every time i started the car or turned the wheel it did...and also if i put the ac/heat on it would for a sec. then stop...then tonight i got in..squealed, i drove it about 30 feet...and it just kept squealin for like 100 feet or so and stopped, i turned the heat on..kept goin again for a good 20 sec. or so...it like rotates, sometimes it squeals when i turn the heat/ac on, sometiems it doesnt....any suggestions?

I had this problem with my Saturn. Even though I love the attention I get driving by a group of people with the noise from my exhaust, it was quite embarressing when the noise was a squealing engine....

The problem turned out to be my tensioner...the thing that tightens the belt on....it became loose and therefore the belts started slipping and making a horrific noise...try tighting your tensioner and see if it improves...

- Marc

yeah mos def try the tensioner....

I just wanted to add that you should check it quick, because if your belts are slipping, they could snap or come loose and its not fun driving on the highway and your engine overheating and losing power steering and braking.....

P.S.

Thats a great exercise idea, drive around without power anything...arm and leg workout...

- Marc

alright thanks alot...now i just hafta find the tensioner lol...im dumb w/ cars i just started learnin about them about a month ago

Originally posted by 2gntnewbie
I just wanted to add that you should check it quick, because if your belts are slipping, they could snap or come loose and its not fun driving on the highway and your engine overheating and losing power steering and braking..... P.S. Thats a great exercise idea, drive around without power anything...arm and leg workout... - Marc

If the belt you are talking about snaps, you will still have power braking (all power brakes are vaccuum operated in passenger vehicles) and 2GNT water pumps are driven by the timing belt. And at highway speeds turning without the pump is not even close to being difficult, and you can roll your windows down since your A/C compressor will not be driven either.

So you will not notice that much. :thumbsup

if ur belt breaks it will just be the power steering and AC....should cause it to overheat.....has nothin to do with it.....

actually...

if the p/s belt slips off the tensioner it is still being rotated at a high speed by the harmonic damper, making it a rubber knife of sorts. it can (and has in my case) put a nice cut in the overflow coolant tank. its not at all common, but thought id warn you. ;)

perform and advanced search for "tighten belt" or somthing like that. a loose accecory belt is a VERY common problem on the 420a engine, so theres more than a few posts about how to find and operate the tensioner. its very easy.

I just meant driving without one.........

lol, i know. im just being a super-genious smartass. ;)

Originally posted by SPL_Eclipse
lol, i know. im just being a super-genious smartass. ;)

Genius* :thumbsup

well i think i'd rather not find out what happens when the belt snaps lol....but thanks guys, my g/f's dad is gonna tighten it for me today ;)

pay close attention cuz it will happen again and again........