Car Experts....

manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
My car is making a weird high pitched squeaking noise, mostly at high speeds. It comes and goes, sometimes it lasts for a few seconds, and then disappears for 10 minutes, and then starts again. Sometimes, it comes and goes every minute or so.

I had a mechanic look at the car before I got it for any major issues (they did an examination that lasted about an hour).

Could this be something simple like a belt?
 

eldorado99

Lifer
Feb 16, 2004
36,324
3,163
126
It's your heart... and I think it's on its last tick...

EDIT: Points for anyone who recognizes that.
 

xXped0thugXx

Golden Member
Feb 18, 2004
1,885
1
0
could be a belt but i doubt it.... id guess its drivetrain/tranny... any other diagnostics? trouble shifting, some sorta shaking at a certain speed, anything? the most belts really make noise is the altenator belt at start up it will squeek and then stop, other than that most of the belts are quiet. you need to give us more details, type of car, year, make, model, last tune up, etc.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
does it happen if you are standing still? then it is likely a belt, bearing, or one of the devices atatched to the belt. A likely culprit would be the alternator. Easily tested.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Originally posted by: xXped0thugXx
could be a belt but i doubt it.... id guess its drivetrain/tranny... any other diagnostics? trouble shifting, some sorta shaking at a certain speed, anything? the most belts really make noise is the altenator belt at start up it will squeek and then stop, other than that most of the belts are quiet. you need to give us more details, type of car, year, make, model, last tune up, etc.

I think he has a serpentine belt, which would drive any accessory.

Have a mechanic inspect the belt for any play or wear.
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Have a mechanic inspect the belt for any play or wear.
Just repalce the belt. they cost $30 or less and take 5 minutes to install. I don't htink it is the belt though, I think it is a bearing on the belt.

I could tell in a matter of moments if I could hear it. That is what sucks about being on the intraweb.
 

foghorn67

Lifer
Jan 3, 2006
11,883
63
91
Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Have a mechanic inspect the belt for any play or wear.
Just repalce the belt. they cost $30 or less and take 5 minutes to install. I don't htink it is the belt though, I think it is a bearing on the belt.

I could tell in a matter of moments if I could hear it. That is what sucks about being on the intraweb.

you mean bearing on a pulley? ;)
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
30,990
5
81
Originally posted by: foghorn67
you mean bearing on a pulley? ;)
Yes, thank you for fixing my horrible grammer. A bearing on a pully that the belt is driving.
 

manlymatt83

Lifer
Oct 14, 2005
10,051
44
91
No trouble shifting except going into reverse, its a bit tough... but it always is.

Car actually shifts fairly smooth.
 

Jahee

Platinum Member
Sep 21, 2006
2,072
0
0
Originally posted by: eldorado99
It's your heart... and I think it's on its last tick...

EDIT: Points for anyone who recognizes that.

Phew, i thought it was his transmission!
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: Evadman
Originally posted by: foghorn67
Have a mechanic inspect the belt for any play or wear.
Just repalce the belt. they cost $30 or less and take 5 minutes to install. I don't htink it is the belt though, I think it is a bearing on the belt.

I could tell in a matter of moments if I could hear it. That is what sucks about being on the intraweb.

Take care of your pulleys. I ignored one and it locked up and tore up the accessory mounting bracket pretty badly. Another time there were a bunch of us driving to an odffroad park and one of the Jeeps had a weird squeal. I said it was the bearing, but it was just starting to go and it would be fine for a while. It promptly froze up about 80 miles after I said that. :p