Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
I purchased my car used. There has been a loud chirping noise for the past week. At first, I thought it might be the belt that needed replacing, so I went to the dealership. They said they couldn’t hear any chirping. I had washed my car the day before seeing them. They told me that washing it cleaned the belts and got rid of the noise. They looked at me as if I were wasting their time. Today… the chirping is back and fairly loud. I’m concerned that if I take it back they won’t hear it and think I’m an idiot. Can you please tell me what could be causing this? Thanks.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
That sounds like a horrible experience. Instead of making another appointment with them, have another mechanic come and replace the belt or at least check it out for you. The noise can be due to a dried out and cracked belt. The dealer may not replace any part unless they can duplicate the problem first. If you have not replaced the belt in a few years, then have the belt replaced and have the tensioner pulley checked and replaced if needed. If you need help with this, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the noise and help you move forward with repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Misalignment: A chirping belt typically indicates an alignment problem between one or more components in the drive . Components that are out of alignment by as little as one degree can create belt chirp as the belt ribs slide down one side of the pulley grooves.
Squeals and Chirps: The Most Common Serpentine Belt Noises. There are two types of noise that a serpentine belt typically makes. One is the chirp, the other is the squeal. They each are the result of different issues within the front end drive system.
High-Pitched Sounds
It might even be time for new brakes. Belts: If the squealing stops when the engine shuts down, your belt might be cracked or damaged. You may need a replacement or just an adjustment. Weatherstripping: A high-pitched whistling inside the cabin might be due to a leak in your weatherstripping.
Generally, a timing belt that goes bad makes a noticeable ticking or clicking timing belt sound that is unusual. When the timing belt starts falling the ticking or clicking sound becomes pretty audible.
How long can I drive with a squeaky belt? You can continue to drive safely for up to 2 weeks with a squeaky belt. However, it`s best to not delay too long and replace it as early as possible.
Worn Out Pulley Or Wrong Pulley Alignment
If any tensioner pulley begins to wear out with time, it`ll create more of a chirping noise. You`ll also hear the chirping noise if the pulley grooves are damaged. This happens over the years due to friction, leading to cracks in the belt.
Worn belt ribs and a misaligned belt can result from an improper installation that can cause an annoying chirping sound. Timing belts are known to occasionally have a ticking sound as well that can stem from low engine oil or other issues.
As these belts wear out, they can begin to squeak or squeal. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn`t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
Although there are a few causes of a squealing engine, one of the most common is a bad or failing serpentine belt. The serpentine belt – or drive belt, as its also known – plays a vital role in the engine. The belt drives many of the engine`s accessories, including the alternator and power steering pump.
A whistling sound when a car is idling can be caused by various factors. These include a vacuum leak, restricted airflow, faulty idle control valve, or exhaust leak. While some of these issues can be easily fixed with basic tools and knowledge, others may require more advanced diagnosis and repair.
Common signs include a ticking noise coming from the engine, an engine that won`t turn over, engine misfires, and oil leaking in front of the motor.
If you hear a ticking noise under the hood, there`s a good chance that your timing belt needs to be replaced. The belt is attached to your engine`s crankshaft with a series of pulleys. When the belt is worn out, it will not be able to turn the crankshaft as effectively. This is what causes the ticking noise.
Driving with a squealing belt is not recommended as it can indicate a problem with the belt or the components it drives.
If the squeal increases in volume, the belt is either loose or worn or both and needs replacing. If the noise stops and then returns to the same volume, it`s a misaligned pulley or a worn belt.
Is It Ok to Drive With a Squeaky Belt? No, it is not OK to drive with a squeaky belt. A squeaking belt can be an indication of serious problems that should be addressed immediately by a qualified mechanic.
Belt Conditioner Eliminates Squeaks and Squeals
If you hear squealing sounds coming from your engine, it could be that your drive belts are aged and worn. Use CRC Belt Conditioner to get rid of the squeaks and squeals and restore your belts to their intended performance.
The serpentine belt “snakes” around several components of the engine, transferring mechanical power to nearly every critical part. Under normal conditions, the belt needs to be replaced every 4 to 6 years.
On average, serpentine belts should last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. However, if you`re only putting a few thousand miles annually on your vehicle, don`t use that mileage interval as the sole guide for when to replace the serpentine belt.
The WD-40 Anti-Slip Belt Dressing is the ultimate go-to product for extending life of old and used vehicle belts. Specially formulated to penetrate chord fibres to restore flexibility and pliability to your car`s belts, the WD-40 drive belt conditioner is versatile and improves functionality.
One way to silence a squeaking or squealing belt is to apply a dab of silicone-based grease, especially if it tends to be temperature-related, but I wonder whether the cause might be more complex.
The Belt Could Completely Dislodge
This means your vehicle`s air conditioning, alternator, smog equipment, water pump, and power steering will be lost if the belt dislodges. The loss of power steering is likely to cause an accident as you will no longer be able to easily control your vehicle.
You can continue to drive safely for up to 2 weeks with a squeaky belt. However, it`s best to not delay too long and replace it as early as possible.
Squealing is common for a loose belt, which can indicate wear and the need for replacement. If the belt is fairly new, yet is still making a noise, the driver should have the tension adjusted, but still have the belt visually checked for unusual wear.
Misalignment: A chirping belt typically indicates an alignment problem between one or more components in the drive . Components that are out of alignment by as little as one degree can create belt chirp as the belt ribs slide down one side of the pulley grooves.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Car sounds like golf cart when revving and braking; also leaking fluid; sound fades as car warms up
ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
My car has a high pitch chirping sound when accelerating. 2010 Subaru Impreza
ANSWER : Hi – your Impreza has a turbocharged engine for enhanced performance. This produces pressurized air for the engine, increasing power. To avoid over-pressurizing the engine, there are boost pressure controls, and a "waste gate" port to vent over-pressure – all electronically controlled. This can produce "chirping-like" noises under acceleration, especially during and after gear changes for manual transmission cars. This is normal behavior, and shouldn’t cause concern. If it seems excessively loud, I would recommend an engine inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
Power steering loss, no belts are turning but the car is running fine. I also have a soft pedal. Whats wrong with my car?
ANSWER : I have only seen this situation once in my 30+ years and it turned out to be a broken crankshaft pulley. Belts are driven by the engine. The crankshaft pulley spins the belts, which in turn spin the air conditioner compressor, power steering and water pumps, and the alternator. The vehicle should be towed to your local repair shop and not driven. Without the water pump spinning to circulate the coolant, the engine will quickly overheat and result in more extensive damage.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
ANSWER : That sounds like a horrible experience. Instead of making another appointment with them, have another mechanic come and replace the belt or at least check it out for you. The noise can be due to a dried out and cracked belt. The dealer may not replace any part unless they can duplicate the problem first. If you have not replaced the belt in a few years, then have the belt replaced and have the tensioner pulley checked and replaced if needed. If you need help with this, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the noise and help you move forward with repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
Oil leaking from under car and "remote control car" sound when car is first started for a few minutes until it warm up.
ANSWER : Hello,
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
There are a number of things that could make an engine noisy when starting up. Depending on the specific type of sound you are referring to, this will determine how to properly diagnose. If there is a bit of a hissing sound, this may be a sign of a vacuum leak. If this is more of a shrieking sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or out of adjustment serpentine belt. If there is a bit of a howling or growling sound, this may be a sign of a worn out or low on fluid power steering pump. A rattling or pinging sound may be caused by an ignition problem. An engine can ping (or knock) due to an improper combustion process. A "spark knock" is the result of combustion occurring too early. Early combustion can occur from carbon buildup inside the combustion chamber, a lean air/fuel mixture, and advanced ignition timing (spark plug firing too soon). A clattering type sound may be a result of improper lubrication in the valve train which could be a more serious problem and should be addressed as soon as possible. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to ensure everything is in proper working order.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
My serpenting belt broke and i drove my car to a street, replaced the belt but now car wont start and its leaking oil from filter
ANSWER : Hi there. The broken serpentine belt shouldn’t have damaged your oil filter housing or the filter itself, so it’s likely that is an existing issue. In regards to why the car won’t start now, it’s possible that while you were replacing the serpentine belt, that an electrical connection or harness may have been removed and not reinstalled correctly on one of the ignition system senors or components. There could be multiple issues causing this problem, so it’s probably best to have one of our professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to start inspection; so they can pinpoint the source of this problem and complete or recommend the right repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
Serpentine belt tearing apart by pebble & pieces of it getting inside timing belt, motor destroyed
ANSWER : Hi there. I agree with you – this doesn’t pass the ’smell test’. The only way for debris to enter the engine is through the throttle body. Since the throttle body inlet is protected and covered by an air intake on your Ford Fiesta, I highly doubt that this is the source of your problems.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
Why my drive belt keep shredding ?
ANSWER : Usually, by the time a Mercedes drive belt is ready to be replaced, the tensioner is shot too. If you haven’t replaced the tensioner, than you should. If the pulley that was replaced was in fact tensioner, then you need to look at the individual devices. If you have an AC compressor or an alternator that is trying to lock up, the extra load on the belt will make it slip, and eventually burn up. Additionally,if any of the mounts are loose, causing alignment issues, then the belt will not last very long. As a final thought, make sure the routing of the belt is correct. Some of these belts are routed like a Rube Goldberg mousetrap and it’s possible to fit the belt up in several ways, but only one of them is right. If you decide to delegate this work, you can contact Your Mechanic to have a technician come out to your home or office to check out your car and take care of your belt for you.
Read Full Q/A … : Car has chirping sound possibly from the belt
