• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Car nuts: Help needed!

Y

yobarman

Lifer
That's right... I come to ATOT for the answers!

Anyways, a few days ago I started getting some nasty belt squeek when I started my car. It has gotten progressively worse everytime i start my car, and today it started squeeky while i've been driving it around for a while. It happens a) when i start my car, and now b) while accelerating from stop between like 0-10 mph.

Any help will be appreciated. i'd like to fix it myself, but no biggie... i can always take it into a shop.

1995 Nissan Maxima, V6. Almost 140,000 miles.
 
Tighten your belt....most likely you can do this by adjusting your alternator with a socket wrench...should take 10 mins to do it.
 
LoL....or you could always go to an autoparts store and buy some belt dressing to squirt on the belts....but that will only be a temporary fix. 😀
 
Diagnosis: You have a loose belt.
Repair: Tighten loose belt.
Difficulty: Easy
Verdict: Do it yourself
Method: Get a repair manual to be sure, but generally you get two crescent wrenches (I'm guessing you'll want 12mm and 14mm). Loosen, but do not remove, the nut on the idler pulley. Tighten the bolt that connects to the idler pulley (you'll see the pulley move). Once the belt is tight (technically you should use a belt tension gauge...realistically, you can push it with your thumb, compare it to your other belts, and make sure it doesn't squeak when you restart the car), re-tighten the nut on the idler pulley.
No idler pulley? It's probably adjustable via the alternator. You'll see a metal piece with a "track" that the alternator will pivot around. Once again, loosen, but don't remove, the nut that holds your alternator on this track, and you might need to loosen the other bolt that holds the alternator to the block. Push the alternator out from the block to tighten the belt. Tighten both nuts. Start the car, drive it around, listen.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Diagnosis: You have a loose belt.
Repair: Tighten loose belt.
Difficulty: Easy
Verdict: Do it yourself
Method: Get a repair manual to be sure, but generally you get two crescent wrenches (I'm guessing you'll want 12mm and 14mm). Loosen, but do not remove, the nut on the idler pulley. Tighten the bolt that connects to the idler pulley (you'll see the pulley move). Once the belt is tight (technically you should use a belt tension gauge...realistically, you can push it with your thumb, compare it to your other belts, and make sure it doesn't squeak when you restart the car), re-tighten the nut on the idler pulley.
No idler pulley? It's probably adjustable via the alternator. You'll see a metal piece with a "track" that the alternator will pivot around. Once again, loosen, but don't remove, the nut that holds your alternator on this track, and you might need to loosen the other bolt that holds the alternator to the block. Push the alternator out from the block to tighten the belt. Tighten both nuts. Start the car, drive it around, listen.
Click to expand...

FTW😀
 
Replace the accessory belts. The engine likely has several V-Belts running the accessories like the alternator, PS pump, and A/C condensor. With that age and mileage it's probably about ready for the accessory belts to be changed. It's a simple, small job.

ZV
 
Thanks jagec i will try that tomorrow. Damn mechanic stole my repair manual though. And yes I am pretty sure its a belt because its a terribly loud and annoying squeek.
 
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Replace the accessory belts. The engine likely has several V-Belts running the accessories like the alternator, PS pump, and A/C condensor. With that age and mileage it's probably about ready for the accessory belts to be changed. It's a simple, small job.

ZV
Click to expand...

The thing is my mechanic was supposed to have replaced my belts about 2 months ago. I made a 1700 mile trip to CO, car was fine and this started happening recently.
 
Originally posted by: yobarman
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Replace the accessory belts. The engine likely has several V-Belts running the accessories like the alternator, PS pump, and A/C condensor. With that age and mileage it's probably about ready for the accessory belts to be changed. It's a simple, small job.

ZV
Click to expand...

The thing is my mechanic was supposed to have replaced my belts about 2 months ago. I made a 1700 mile trip to CO, car was fine and this started happening recently.
Click to expand...

Sometimes new belts will loosen a little after the first couple of months of wear. You should be able to tighten it up and you'll be set.
 
If they are traditional style belts that require tightening then new ones ususally need to be retightened after a short time because they stretch some. If it is a serpentine self adjusting system then the belt tensioner may be bad.
 
Originally posted by: Crucial
Are you sure it's the belt thats squeaking and not something else like an alternator bearing?
Click to expand...

This is true as well, any bearing attached to the belt system could also be worn out. If tightening your belt doesnt fix it (or replacing if its worn out) then look towards the other components your belts drive. If it is a bearing though it is most likely to be a alternator bearing. Make sure you don't over tighten the belt(s) either as you will quickly wear out any bearings in the system if the belt is too tight.
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Originally posted by: yobarman
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Replace the accessory belts. The engine likely has several V-Belts running the accessories like the alternator, PS pump, and A/C condensor. With that age and mileage it's probably about ready for the accessory belts to be changed. It's a simple, small job.

ZV
Click to expand...
The thing is my mechanic was supposed to have replaced my belts about 2 months ago. I made a 1700 mile trip to CO, car was fine and this started happening recently.
Click to expand...
Sometimes new belts will loosen a little after the first couple of months of wear. You should be able to tighten it up and you'll be set.
Click to expand...
Bingo. Just the standard re-tensioning of a new belt then. Very typical for belts without automatic tensioners to require re-tensioning between 1,500 and 2,000 miles after initial installation.

ZV
 
Not to crap on your Nissan or anything, but I really thought all cars since about 1990 had serpentine belts.

Not that I had ever actually looked or even given it more than a cursory thought.

They seem to me to be right up there with sliced bread for really great inventions. I mean if it does break you lose everything, but you can change them so quickly, and with usually only 1 tool to pull the tensioner. And of course the tensioner removes the possibility mentioned above of ruining bearings in your accessories by overtightening belts.
 
Originally posted by: Sluggo
Not to crap on your Nissan or anything, but I really thought all cars since about 1990 had serpentine belts.

Not that I had ever actually looked or even given it more than a cursory thought.

They seem to me to be right up there with sliced bread for really great inventions. I mean if it does break you lose everything, but you can change them so quickly, and with usually only 1 tool to pull the tensioner. And of course the tensioner removes the possibility mentioned above of ruining bearings in your accessories by overtightening belts.
Click to expand...

Meh, you can change regular belts about as quickly, and all you need is a crescent wrench.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: Sluggo
Not to crap on your Nissan or anything, but I really thought all cars since about 1990 had serpentine belts.

Not that I had ever actually looked or even given it more than a cursory thought.

They seem to me to be right up there with sliced bread for really great inventions. I mean if it does break you lose everything, but you can change them so quickly, and with usually only 1 tool to pull the tensioner. And of course the tensioner removes the possibility mentioned above of ruining bearings in your accessories by overtightening belts.
Click to expand...

Meh, you can change regular belts about as quickly, and all you need is a crescent wrench.
Click to expand...

That is simply not the truth.
 
Originally posted by: yobarman
That's right... I come to ATOT for the answers!

Anyways, a few days ago I started getting some nasty belt squeek when I started my car. It has gotten progressively worse everytime i start my car, and today it started squeeky while i've been driving it around for a while. It happens a) when i start my car, and now b) while accelerating from stop between like 0-10 mph.

Any help will be appreciated. i'd like to fix it myself, but no biggie... i can always take it into a shop.

1995 Nissan Maxima, V6. Almost 140,000 miles.
Click to expand...

Yeah belts like everyone has said.

Is it significantly colder there than where you were? That can sometimes make the problem more obvious. I know it's not super cold in Denver area at the moment.

I didn't know you have a Maxima. I have a 97 with 125,000 on it and doing great 🙂

Just don't be like those morons who let it stay like that and go squealing down the road without a care.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top