96 Buick Lesabre Squealing Noise. Please help! I don't know what else to do!

Jinisu2 · 05-10-2010, 05:24 PM

I have a high mileage 1996 Buick Lesabre Custom. It started to shimmy very badly. I had the belt tensioner replaced. That solved the shimmy, but it started to squeal. Now the the squeal is VERY LOUD. I have replaced the alternator. What else could possibly be making this noise? The engine doesn't get hot, and the power steering is fine. There is a slight drag when I hit the gas to take off at a red light but evens out after 2nd gear. PLEASE help me! I already spent sooo much and haven't got an answer yet!

imidazol97 · 05-10-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinisu2

I have a high mileage 1996 Buick Lesabre Custom. It started to shimmy very badly. I had the belt tensioner replaced. That solved the shimmy, but it started to squeal. Now the the squeal is VERY LOUD. I have replaced the alternator. What else could possibly be making this noise? The engine doesn't get hot, and the power steering is fine. There is a slight drag when I hit the gas to take off at a red light but evens out after 2nd gear. PLEASE help me! I already spent sooo much and haven't got an answer yet!

Does the squealing occur when the motor is running and the car is NOT moving?
Or does it start as soon as the car starts rolling?

I am not sure where you are saying the squeal is coming from. When they had the belt off to replace the tensioner, did someone check the other pulleys for noise, resistance, wiggle, movement in any direction? My first thought would have been the water pump.

But you talk about a shimmy. Do you mean the car feels like it wobbles rapidly as the wheels are rotating as the car moves? If so, did they check the wheel bearings on the front and rear wheels? Is the brake dragging on one of the front calipers?

Jinisu2 · 05-10-2010, 10:22 PM

I have new brakes and calipers on the front. I also replaced the brake lines.
The shimmy was from the belt tensioner being bad. I had it replaced by a certified mechanic. He told me the squealing was from the alternator and my dad and I (he's a retired mechanic) replaced it. It stopped squealing for about 20 miles and then it started up again. It stops when I come to a stop and quiets down considerably when I let up off the gas.
We checked the pullies and none of them squeak on their own.
I thought of the water pump too, but it isn't running hot or using excess antifreeze.
I also thought it was maybe the power steering but the reservoir is full and I have no issues with steering.
If you are facing the car looking at the engine the noise is coming from the left in the general area of the water pump/belt tensioner.

polarzak · 05-13-2010, 04:59 PM

Take a piece of garden hose and put on end to your ear. Have someone get the engine running to where the squeal is heard. Carefully play the other end of the garden hose against the various components (not the moving part) and you should be able to hear which one is causing the noise.

big white bufflo · 05-13-2010, 07:34 PM

have you tryed replaceing the belt it could be slipping

Jinisu2 · 05-13-2010, 10:51 PM

Thank you! It turned out it needed a new belt all together

Jinisu2 · 05-13-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polarzak

Take a piece of garden hose and put on end to your ear. Have someone get the engine running to where the squeal is heard. Carefully play the other end of the garden hose against the various components (not the moving part) and you should be able to hear which one is causing the noise.

That's a neat trick to know! Thanks!

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