Belt squeal help

[jjanders]

Ok, so I have had some squealing for the past month or so, only happens when I first turn on the car afters it's been sitting for awhile, and only happens for about 10 seconds when I first put it in reverse to back up or in 1st to start moving forward. After that, it won't squeal again for the rest of the drive.

Figured it was the belts, so I replaced both (a/c/p/s and alternator) of them this morning, went pretty well.

After replacement let the car sit for awhile, then went out and started it, seemed fine. Ran some errands, and after leaving Best Buy, it started to squeal again. It didn't seem as loud or go for as long, at least that's what I thought. But it's still squealing.

Any thoughts? I will try tightening the belts up a bit, but what else could be causing the problem? Something related to the pulleys? Alternator? Or is it most likely related to them being too loose?

By the way this is a 2002 Protege ES, just short of 70K miles.

Thanks.

 

[alkemyst]

Could be tensioners or a pulley.

 

[LTC8K6]

Are you sure it's a belt? Maybe it's something else like the PS pump squealing, or a bearing on the alternator, etc.?

 

[jjanders]

I suppose it could be one of those things. The squeal isn't related to turning the wheel or electrical load or anything, though. And it's not constant, only happens after it's been sitting for a bit and engine is cold.

I tightened up the newly installed belts this morning (they were a bit loose) so we'll see how it sounds today.

 

[alkemyst]

Just an FYI...but it's important to not under or overtighten belts...you can quickly ruin all your accessories by overtightening them. There should be a procedure available usually stating how much movement at some point on the belt should be allowed with X weight (a spring scale like for fish works good).