ear-splitting squeal

[stringer]

Hi all

My loveable '94 Aspire screams bloody murder upon starting it and lately has been squealing when I accelerate from a stop sign/light.

I suspected it was a loose belt or something but when I took it into the shop the guy said it was something to do with the A/C so he unplugged it, but that did not fix the problem. (but I did use to hear it sometimes when I'd turn the A/C on)

Any help much appreciated.

[Guest]

A/C tension pulley or compressor pulley sounds frozen or is hanging. Unplugging it won't help as it turns even if the A/C is off.. Here is a pic of the pulley.

[oxbrain]

my festy squeals when I first turn it on and sometimes when I accelerate hard while slowing down. I was figuring it was the alternator belt squealing when the alt is drawing power to charge the batt or lights or something.

[aithanmier]

one of the belts is loose
just check em all and tighten it up

[Guest]

did you read the post? They said they suspected a loose belt and it was checked by a mechanic..

[Fenchurch]

Squeel

My '92 festiva was doing exactly the same thing, gradually got worse. Had started when just starting, quickly quieting down, then got louder, and took longer, then started doing it when accelerating from lights. Then a bit later, while cruising home down highway 101 at midnight, the crankshaft pulleys fell off at 55mph. Also missing was the bolt that held in the bottom timing belt gear. I would recommend looking around there too.

BTW, anyone happen to have a dead festiva that they could send me those two missing pulleys from?

[AlaskaFestivaGuy]

Engine pulleys in WA

My 89 L auto is a parts car, located 13 miles east of Seattle. If you're over here on the mainland, you're welcome to yank those pulleys no-charge. PM me if interested.

[Desroches]

my festiva used to screech when I turned the rear defrost on.. doesn't anymore though, it's strange.

[ToTalXS]

could it be the idler pulley bearing goin out?....just a thought

[mechanicaldj]

Tightening the belt, does not always help, once it starts to squeal.

When the belt squeals, it is slipping around the pulleys and is becoming glazed.

Your best fix is to replace the belt!!!!!!!!!!!

And if it keeps on doing it, check pulley alignment.

[freshtiva]

belt

I agree with mechanicaldj, My wife's festiva was doing that and all the belt were tight. I changed the alt belt and it hasn't squealed since. Belt was glazed and not tacky enough to grab pulley. Bet this is your problem, it would be the first thing Id try. Try some belt dressing as a temporary fix to see if that is the problem.