Mystery squeal is driving me NUTSO!!!

[lilcrc]

I need a lil help from the experts here.... my 79 Bird has developed a very annoying squeal from under the hood, passenger side. She ONLY does it first thing in the morning- never in park, but when I put her in reverse to back out of the garage, then turn and pull forward in the driveway. Once I stop to go close the garage door, and put her in drive again, the noise goes away. She never does it in the afternoon when I leave work or at any other time during the day. I'm beginning to think she just doesn't like 4:30AM any more.. but I am at a loss to figure this out...

Any ideas?? Suggestions?? Please help me.... thanks!!!!

[FormulaLT1]

Does it sound like power steering? or is it more belt sound?

[lilcrc]

I'd say more like a belt sound.. the tension seems to be ok, though.. Think I should try that belt dressing spray to see if it'll help??

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by lilcrc

I'd say more like a belt sound.. the tension seems to be ok, though.. Think I should try that belt dressing spray to see if it'll help??

i don't believe in that dressing,lets figure this out. If you would be right and the noise is coming from the passenger side. Then there is only one area that would create "belt noise" If your car has A/C then the compressor is sitting on that noisy side, so it could be not enough tension on the belt from the compressor. Or worst case scenario your compressor is about to go bad, and that would sound like a belt noise also.Filing some oil in might silence it. On the other hand, if you do not have A/C, then you might be mistaken on where the noise is excactly coming from. I would just go ahead and see if the belts need more tension (all of them). Another source could be water pump bearing, see if your pulley wobbles or if you see some waterloss in the pulley area. All of those could cause that noise, but it probably is just not enough tension on the belts.

[shakes]

next time its cold out have a friend put the car in reverse. watch the engine bay and check for any movement as said friend moves the shifter from park to reverse over and over again.

if it is only in reverse something has to be moving / changing when you do that.

[lilcrc]

But my A/C compressor is on the driver's side (that's a subject for a whole 'nother thread).... I just put on a new water pump five months ago, so I really hope it's not that. I've watched the pulleys with the engine running and they all turn straight with no movement..

I'll check the tension tomorrow, though.

I still wonder why it only does it first thing in the morning. Guess it's an individual quirk-- after all, cars are people too!!

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by lilcrc

But my A/C compressor is on the driver's side (that's a subject for a whole 'nother thread).... I just put on a new water pump five months ago, so I really hope it's not that. I've watched the pulleys with the engine running and they all turn straight with no movement..

I'll check the tension tomorrow, though.

I still wonder why it only does it first thing in the morning. Guess it's an individual quirk-- after all, cars are people too!!

It is just belt tension then.

[shakes]

take the belt off and clean all of the pullies with something like simple green automotive or a mild soap. then give the belt a good wiping and replace.

[lilcrc]

I'm going to work on her tomorrow, my day off.... I'll let you all know how everything turns out....
Thanks to all who replied!!!!

[lilcrc]

I'm back...... took all the belts off, cleaned them up and also the pulleys... so far so good..

Thanks for the advice, figures it would be something simple that would make me look silly for askin'!!!!