Squeal on start up and when A/C is on!

I replace the fan belt and alternator belt because of the high pitch squeal on startup. Now, the squeal is worse, and comes in when A/C and when turning while the car is cold. I took it to 2 shops here in town, and 1 said the water pump bearings were the cause of the squeal, and the second said it was the alternator. I replaced the alternator completely 6000km ago (3500 miles), so I don't think it's that!!

Any suggestions???

Thanks in advance!!!

R

Check the tension of your belts. I had the same problem with my A/C belt on my Honda. I had recently replaced the belts and didn't tighten that one up properly. So anytime I turned my A/C on, the belt would start squealing. After I tightened that belt up, it was perfectly quiet. The squealing while turning is probably a loose power steering pump belt. Tighten that one too and see if that doesn't help. I'm not a mechanic, but it sounds to me like the guys you asked before are just looking to make a quick buck off of you because they really know what the problem is. If they tell you it's just loose belts, then you will tighten them yourself and they won't make any $$. Hope this helps.

I have tightened the belts, then losened them and tightened them again. I don't see an issue with the water pump with my untrained eye, but who knows...could be!!! Perhaps I'll get a 3rd opionion!!

Thanks!

Ricky,
I have the same issue and can not figure it out. I have also replaced the alternator. Mine does the same thing on start up when the ac is on. I have replaced the water pump, timing belt, timing pulleys, all external belts. I can take off the alternator belt and the squeal will stop. But that makes no sense because the a/c is not on the alternator belt. Turning on and off the a/c should not affect the alternator. I also put a second used power steering pump on the car and it still squealed. I do not know what else to do. I'm a fairly good mechanic and i'm stumped on this one. Why does turning on and off the a/c make it squeal, expecially when I disconnect the alternator belt and it won't do it. The two are not connected at all but it makes a difference. If you figure it out I sure would like to know!

OK...here's what I found out....

I had the alternator belt tightened. The sound went away instantly. Now, after a week or so, it is back. I'm going to tighten it again when I finish these night shifts, and I'll let you know!!!

Yeah, Seems to be related to the Alternator. I replaced mine and it got better for a little while but then came back. I've tried different tensions on the belt and I can not figure it out. I do not know what to try next. I can tighten the belt too and it seems to really help but always comes back. Let me know if you ever find a cure for this other than trading!

Well...sorry for the delay again!!!

I've tightened the belt again. Talked to some people and no one has heard of something like this happening before, where the belt keeps getting loose. Someone suggested having the pulley's replaced, but that's not an option right now. So for now, sound is gone, but I'll keep you posted

Anyone find a solution to this problem? I ve had a more serious problem, the squealing is pretty bad, but I'm now on my third belt(keeps throwing them). I've adjusted it from a loose fit all the way to pretty snug and still the same result. I've check all rotating assemblies and they all seem ok. If I remove the alt w/p the belt noise goes away. I'm out of ideas any input would be great. Does it have to be a KIA belt? I'm about to burn this m*****f***ing car to the ground.

you might have grease on it tranny fluid,antifreese, or you don't have the tensioner tight enough or need new tensioner.good luck.

you might have grease on it tranny fluid,antifreese, or you don't have the tensioner tight enough or need new tensioner.good luck.oh can be power steering, along with there guesses on alt,water pump.

I have found that these belts need to be pretty tight. Im talking tighter then you would expect but I had the same issues. I replaced the belts and problem was worse then I recalled the original belts were pretty tight.

the tensioner might need ajusted or it may be wore out..the tensinoer will cause loose belt then you get a squil you cant use belt dressing on those because serpateen and not recomended.good luck though..

Anyone find a solution to this problem? I ve had a more serious problem, the squealing is pretty bad, but I'm now on my third belt(keeps throwing them). I've adjusted it from a loose fit all the way to pretty snug and still the same result. I've check all rotating assemblies and they all seem ok. If I remove the alt w/p the belt noise goes away. I'm out of ideas any input would be great. Does it have to be a KIA belt? I'm about to burn this m*****f***ing car to the ground.
I have exact problem with my Kia. Did making the belt extreamly tight work?

Was wondering if anyone has been able to solve this issue permanently? We have a 2000 Kia Sephia and have the same issue. My father in law who owns a auto body shop and some other shops have all tested it and they get this one particular code, but no one knows what the code means?

Hello everyone, Belt squeal is caused by all of the reasons stated above but the one that everyone has yet to mention is: When all the vehicles accesories are installed at the factory the accessories are balanced properly with the pulley. The problem that everyone is running into is that when you got your new Water pump, A/C Comp, Alt, Air Comp etc. the one thing all of these have in common is the fact that you took the factory pulley off the old accessory and put it on the OEM replacement. If the pulley is not completely balanced and centered on the part it doesn't matter how tight your belt is your pulley will wobble. As small as a 1/16'' wobble can make your belt squeal. Also if you have a chance to take the belt off and inspect it to make sure it is clean and free of any thing and ensure it has less then 10 mini cracks per inch, plus take a bristle brush and a wet rag and clean all the road dust off your pulleys. The point of my post is if you have a squeal, look down at your belt, if one or two or more of you pulleys aren't circulating almost perfectly smooth you most likely found your problem.

Pete.

that belt may be glazed i don't know if you tried a new belt or not?

I also have KIA Sephia 2001. i have the problem of trying to quiet the belt squealing and i replaced the belts all three and replaced the water pump... still squealing. next step would be to take them off and do one at the time... i think the alt belt on first make sure that one don't make any noise then put on the ac belt make sure its quiet... I tried every thing you guys have discussed.I think isolating one belt at a time should work . fingers crossed

The pulleys all have to be rotating in the same plane. If one is out of alignment it'll cause noise and accelerated wear eventually throwing the belt. Remove the belts,spin the pulleys and check for any roughness in and excessive side to side play in the bearings. Check them for coplaner with a straightedge across adjacent pulleys. Check all pulley combinations with the straightedge. The belt tensioner needs to be checked for tension and smooth swing with no binding. Make sure the tensioners pulley isnt cocked and the belt wear pattern on the pulley isn't alot wider than the belt itself. I see that as a very popular problem. Most tensioners have a wear indicator on them where the line on the swing arm has to be in between two lines on the stationary part bolted to the block when the belt is installed . HTH

If you have checked the tension and the pulleys, and it is not worn or cracked, try a bar of soap to the underneath of the belt. It is possible something got on your belt. If you apply the soap, then start the engine and repeat until you have applied it to all or almost all of the underneath of your belt and the squealing stops, then get belt conditioner.

The belt conditioner works longer. Although the soap will last for awhile.

ok I am also having the same issue for about 5 years first time it happened I put a voltage meter on the battery terminals is was like 12.0 volts which is bad I replaced the alternator worked fine bought one with life time warranty now 5 alternators later I still get squeal voltage also drops new belts there is no tensioner on 2000 spectra gsx I think the alternators are not what kia originally had installed next step is to buy a junkyard original kia alternator and see if my squeal disappears and the last alternator one store location said it was something else other store tested alt engine off and said bad voltage regulator I am to confused about this squeal I hope this makes sense its my first post ty