Engine squeal

[pwnuraz]

Whenever it's wet or cold out my engine squeals when I first start up and then it goes away after about 15 seconds. Also, if i go through water the same thing happens. Anyone know what's going on and how serious this is??

[alaskaneon]

A couple of things. check your altenator belt and see if its tight. Shouldn't be able to twist it a 1/4 turn. Your powersteering / AC belt should have an automatic belt tensioner on it so I doubt that's it. When you start the car, pop the hood and listen and locate where the squeal is coming from and get back to us.

[pwnuraz]

I will, thanks!

[dodgeneonACR98]

Sure sounds like a belt to me! If it's squealing when you hit water puddles my guess would be the power steering and AC belt. The alt is up in there and should not get wet like the PS belt can..........Good Luck!

[95moparracer]

thats my guess too!

[sleeperrt]

Yepper

[pwnuraz]

I checked today. The squeal comes from the belt on the passenger side closer to the front. I just can't tell if it's near the top or bottom of the engine. Anyway, i dont think this is something i can fix. Is it a serious problem, or should I be heading to the garage?

[alaskaneon]

Do you know how long the belts have been on the car? Take a look at the underside of the one you can see clearly - does the belt have excessive cracks in it are the edges frayed at all? Worn out belts squeal. As for whether you can do the job, it's not hard and most anyone on this forum can walk you through it if you choose to do it yourself.

One other thing, check the fluid in your power steering reservoir and see that its full. I don't know your mechanical ability so forgive me if I sound insulting - your power steering reservoir is the yellow capped box directly above the engine belts on the passenger side. Low fluid will make the power steering pump squeal, especially when it's cold outside. Let us know what you find!

[EZ4U2CHere]

I checked today. The squeal comes from the belt on the passenger side closer to the front. I just can't tell if it's near the top or bottom of the engine. Anyway, i dont think this is something i can fix. Is it a serious problem, or should I be heading to the garage?
Changing a PS/AC belt is a piece of cake!
Loosen two 13 mm bolts and the pump will slide towards the bottom.
Take the belt off
Put a new one on
use a 1/2" breaker bar in the slot on the PS bracket to leverage the pump back towards the top to tighten the belt.
now tighten the two 13mm bolts

DONE!!!! :rck:

My first suggestion to anyone who owns a neons is to buy a Haynes manual. There's a lot of good info in it for $15~ including how to change the ps and alt belts.

[dodgeneonACR98]

My first suggestion to anyone who owns a neons is to buy a Haynes manual. There's a lot of good info in it for $15~ including how to change the ps and alt belts. I agree 100%.........I usually buy one on my way home the day I buy a new car.

[pwnuraz]

I just checked the power steering fluid and its way below the "add" line. Im gonna have to go grab a bottle later and see if that solves the problem. Thanks for all the help! Also, Im definitely not insulted by the instructions, I have pretty much no technical knowledge. Any help is great help. I'll let you know what happens!

[alaskaneon]

One other thing, do you see any fluid loss down below the powersteering pump?

If you are low fill it up to the line, cap it and start the car up and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left then the right til it squeals on each side. Do that a couple of times. That pulls all the air out of the lines and since you were really low its a good chance you have air in there. Let us know how it goes.