Q: Belts squeak when starting

asked by on February 10, 2016

My belts are squeaky upon startup. The engine also idles high.

The belts are squeaking from the belt tensioner is not strong enough or the belts are glazed and slipping. The belt would need to be checked and the tensioner checked for proper tension. The hig idle when cold may be a vacuum leak or if the idle is high all the time may be a vacuum leak or the idle control valve stuck. I recommend you have a mechanic, like ones from YourMechanic, come by and inspect your vehicle’s belt squeaking issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Check engine light - O2 sensor circuit + speed sensor circuit...
Hi there. O2 sensor low voltage can be caused my a number of things. Mass air flow sensor was only one of them. It can be a bad O2 sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oxygen-sensor-replacement), coolant temperature sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/coolant-temperature-switch-sensor-replacement), or wiring issue. What should...
Replaced starter now the fuel pump not working
Hello there, it is unlikely that both the starter and fuel pump would fail on your 2011 Hyundai Sonata at the same time. In cases like this, the car needs to be thoroughly inspected and the root cause located before...
VVT (variable valve timing) Solenoid and Check Engine Light codes P0300 and P0011
Hi there. Through your research you probably discovered that there are multiple causes of a rough idle and the Check Engine Light beyond the VVT solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-variable-valve-timing-vvt-solenoid). If you replace the second bank solenoid, it may improve your issue, but...
Car not starting
Hi there: It's very possible that during your intake manifold swap out that the crankshaft position sensor may have been damaged or incorrectly reinstalled; as I believe that needs to be removed in order to replace the intake manifold on...
Low Idle and stalling when breaking
Hello there, many common faults will cause your 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee to die when the vehicle comes to a stop and have a low idle. You have done great in replacing the idle air valve as this is a...
My car won't start after replacing flex pipe and Muffler
Technically, there is no connection at all between what was done on the exhaust system and the subsequent no start problem. Of course, it's always possible the Mechanic damaged something on the vehicle but such, if it occurred and if...
how to replace a oil pan gasket on a 2000 chevy silverado
Oil pan and/or pan gasket replacement on this vehicle has to be performed with the Factory Service Manual in hand. There are just simply too many steps, and too much detail to re-count it all here, not to mention the...
Transmission does not shift properly
Hi There, This can happen for a few different reasons such as low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or a faulty control solenoid. An automatic transmission requires hydraulic pressure generated by the transmission fluid that gets pushed through a series of chambers...
Engine stalls as I'm on the accelerator, but when I stop completely, it works just fine.1993 Honda Accord
Hi there. This can be caused by a number of things. If it only occurs when accelerating then I would check the fuel pressure first. If the fuel filter is old or clogged then this will occur. It can also...

Related articles

Understanding All the Drive Belts in Your Car
Your car’s engine has a number of mechanical parts attached to it that perform essential functions like delivering power (the alternator), cooling...
2012 GMC Acadia vs. 2012 Dodge Journey: Which One Should I Buy?
The GMC Acadia is classed as a midsize SUV, which is able to seat between six and seven passengers comfortably. The 2012 Acadia offers three rows of seating, so passengers will feel the roominess that is typical in a true...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Vet
The The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing...