Loud squeal when car starts

[HomeMechanic]

Whenever I start my 1997 Saturn SL2 it squeals really loudly and then it stops. I'm thinking I need to change out the belt or the tensioner. Before I start ripping things out I just want to confirm it.

 

[Racer220]

It could also be the alternator causing the belt to slip around the alternator pulley. I would get the alternator checked out to see if it's too old. It also could be an old battery putting too much weight on the alternator at start up.

 

[Mustang37]

Sounds to me like it could be the timing belt. It's an easy fix and pretty cheap too. When the timing belt is slipping, the engine will make a squealing sound, it usually just takes tightening the belt and the sound goes away.

 

[HomeMechanic]

Sounds to me like it could be the timing belt. It's an easy fix and pretty cheap too. When the timing belt is slipping, the engine will make a squealing sound, it usually just takes tightening the belt and the sound goes away.

That would be my main suspicion with the alternator being my second choice. I'm not sure how old the belt it so it might be worth my time and money to buy a new one and swap it out. Thanks.

 

[Miata_Matyr]

If you have had your drive belts replaced in the last few months then they'll just need retensioning. Being on start up it is most likely the alt belt. You can always do the dodge mechanic trick and rub soap on it- but I don't recommend that!

 

[Weezer]

You could use belt dressing on it too. Tighten it up, use belt dressing and see what happens. Check to see if it's dry rotted too. A lot of times, if the belt was sitting on the shelf for a long time before they put it on, it could be dry rotted.