Fan or Timing Belt?

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:01 pm

Once in a while I would start the car and it would make this like, annoying screeching noise and it get's louder when i start to go. It also takes like 3 minutes just to go away. Im not sure if it is the weather or not, but this also happened in the Summer too. Last week when we had like a week of rain I would drive through a puddle (obviously not on purpose) and it make that same noise it makes when I start the car. Could this be the fan or timing belt? My car only has 61K miles coming close to 62K

latief · Post by **latief** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:17 pm

Power steering belt is what you should look at first ...

Post by **racer12306** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:21 pm

Defintely not gonna be a fan belt problem. 100% guaranteed on that one.

60trim · Post by **60trim** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:32 pm

Powersteering belt here also. You could change out the belt also. Pretty cheap fix. Replace the belt and it should go away.

Danteneon · Post by **Danteneon** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:44 pm

racer12306 wrote:Defintely not gonna be a fan belt problem. 100% guaranteed on that one.

I don't know Frank...you sure? I mean...really sure?

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:46 pm

Danteneon wrote:
racer12306 wrote:Defintely not gonna be a fan belt problem. 100% guaranteed on that one.
I don't know Frank...you sure? I mean...really sure?

Yeah, are you real sure?

Maybe this Neon has a 440 Six-Pack dropped into it.

aperson · Post by **aperson** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 4:50 pm

Like previously stated it's probably your power steering belt or alternator belt. Make sure that they aren't glazed over/ cracked and try tightening them first and if that doesn't help then you need to replace them.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:09 pm

The belts might just need to be tightened, but most likely they need to be replaced. Also, we have electric fans, so no fan belt there. The timing belt doesn't squeal, it breaks or makes a diesel chugging noise.

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:09 pm

Well how much would this cost if i had to replace them? My family is tight on money right now. And I have been paying for all upgrades and stuff. So im in the shit hole also

c987long · Post by **c987long** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:13 pm

look in the ht section or neons.org, or do a search my friend if not look it up in the haynes bible

blue demon02 · Post by **blue demon02** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 11:53 pm

There cheap and super easy to do. I think there like 30 bucks for both if you get the good ones. And if you have a basic socket set and an adjustable wrench you can do it your self in like 20 minutes. (and 20 is only if you have never done it before)

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 12:00 am

The alternator belt is the only one you can adjust the tension on, and the one I'd bet is making the noise. The PS/air conditioning belt would only squeal if you had a PS pump problem, turning the steering, or the A/C-defrost was on. What you describe is classic alternator belt slipping. As the battery needs less charge from the alternator the load becomes less and it stops slipping. Eventually it will not stop slipping, and your battery will become dead. The adjuster is on the back side, and there is a bolt to the belt side that needs loosened to adjust the tension. Like mentioned check the belt, because as this has been going on for a while, the belt prolly needs replaced.

viewtopic.php?t=373

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:47 am

occasional demons wrote: A/C-defrost was on.
viewtopic.php?t=373

It seems to squeel when the Defrost is also on, and sometimes when the heat or A/C is in fact on steering is some what hard to turn but that only happened once and hasn't happened in a while knock on wood

Post by **racer12306** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 7:17 am

If you do get a service manual, don't get a haynes they are junk.

It's FSM or nothing, imo.

Donkeypuncher · Post by **Donkeypuncher** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 2:16 pm

Let's just hope your ps/ac belt tensioner isn't going bad. When that happens it's time to replace the timing belt along with it.

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 3:41 pm

Well I do have a service manual. and what is a ps/ac belt? Is that the power steering air conditioner belt? and where is that located? (Im young and don't no much about cars so if you can break some stuff down for me please)

AMilbut · Post by **AMilbut** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 4:57 pm

Yes the PS/AC Belt is the power steering air conditioner belt...

If you have the FSM it should have pictures in there.

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:23 pm

DuhNeon179 wrote:
occasional demons wrote: A/C-defrost was on.
viewtopic.php?t=373
It seems to squeel when the Defrost is also on, and sometimes when the heat or A/C is in fact on steering is some what hard to turn but that only happened once and hasn't happened in a while knock on wood

It's the alternator belt. When electrical demand is high, so is the load on the alternator.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 6:37 pm

Get someone that is familiar with cars, and have them help you adjust the alternator belt first. It's free, and if it solves the problem you will know what to do to replace it.

A better link: http://forums.neons.org/viewtopic.php?f ... t#p2024803

aneonrider wrote:With the adjustment bolt at the rear of the alternator.

Loosen the 15mm bolts attaching the alternator to the bracket, then loosen the alternator with the 13mm bolt at the rear of the alternator. Do not loosen it to the point of it falling out did that once... took a while to get it back on.

Thanks to JeffB

DuhNeon179 · Post by **DuhNeon179** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:07 pm

Well my dad is a mechanic the only thing is, I rarley see him and when I do it's at 10 P.M - 3. A.M so when does he have time to help me with the car?

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Oct 08, 2008 10:48 pm

With the pics provided, you should be able to handle this one. Just tighten the belt a little at a time till the squealing stops. With the engine off, of course! Just leave the lights on while adjusting, to give the alternator a good load when you start it. Just don't go too wild on cranking the screw. Get it to where it don't squeal and maybe go one more turn. You will have to tighten the lock down screw on the belt side each time to ensure proper alignment, but with some patience you'll get it done.