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The squealing is usually the belt slipping on the pulley. With the engine running rub a bar of soap on the side of the belt. You may have to get under car for the alternator belt. Give it at least 20 seconds. Even bad squealing will go away for a few weeks with application of soap. This will tell you which belt is the problem. You can also try spraying water on the pullies one by one but not as effective.

1. loose, damaged, or wrong belt (belts should not have more than half inch of deflection)2. glazed belt or pulley(sand pulley and belt)3. oil or liquid leaking on belt( drive shaft seal, water pump weep hole)

5. alternator bearings shot(idle goes down when interior heater on; squeals when interior heater turned on)6. power steering pump shot(does turning make noise worse)7. Idler pulley8. fan clutch shot Fan Clutch9. water pump shot10. radiator blocked??? not sure about that one11. pulley out of alignment(straight edge metal ruler)

I bought a ten dollar stethoscope which helps you determine if noise is coming from alternator, water pump, power steering pump

Modified by vancouverbc at 1:54 AM 2/4/2009
Modified by vancouverbc at 1:59 PM 1/9/2010

This is most excellent information bro'!

Out of the nine problems you said, i think i have atleast three: alternator bearing, loose belts, and the fan clutch. thanks man that really helped me a lot

What about the idler pulley too?

hey thanx for the info ill try that when the snow leaves and I can get my car out , i had squeeling noises back in september so that might help it!! thanx!