Something in my car is squeaking like crazy. I zeroed the sound in to around the timing belt area, but is there anything else that could be causing that noise?

You guys think I should take it to a dealer to get it repaired? Or is there a nationwide auto repair chain that could do the job just as well? I really have trouble trusting mechanics with my car, and time is a major factor too, since i'm really dependant on my car.

thanks for your help!

Is it a squeak or a rattle like a bearing rap? Does it get louder when you rev the engine? How bout your powersteering and AC belt thats on the same side.

when i'm idled, it sounds like a whining sound. I don't think it gets louder as i'm driving, maybe it even stops.. i can't tell because the sound of the engine covers it.

So best bet would be to go to a dealer? I'm deathly afraid they'll hold my car for a week because of backed up amount of work.

Your A/C (if you have it), PS and Alt. belts are also in that area, and I would bet that it is one of them. Have you checked the tension of these belts? How many miles are one your car, if it is close to 60K (or a 60K service mark) then you should get your timing belt replaced anyway.



Eric Madden

it's at 45k right now, which is why i wanted to ask before i go in and tell the mechanic to change it. With my luck, the mechanics will just lie to me and say it needs to be replaced even when it doesn't.

Well there are a lot of moving parts in that area, but check this out. If its belts worn or loose, they will make a sqawking or screching sound, esp when you accelerate. If its making a chirping sound that gets faster with rpm's, it could be a bering going out on a pulley. There are many pulleys in there, but the accessory drive belt idler pulley/tensioner went bad on my car and it made a bird chirping noise esp when it was cold. I replaced it and it went away. With the car off, wiggle that pulley side to side a little. It should barely have any play in it. My old one had considerable amount of play, and could tell the noise was from it. Try to be more specific on how it sounds and where exactly its coming from. And if its your idler pulley, that thing ain't cheap. Got mine at the dealer for a little over a hundred bucks! Couldn't find it anywhere else...