01 Pathfinder-Loud squeal when engine starts.

[Mayito]

It's more pronounced when I have more power options running (head-lights, seat warmer, climate control...etc) it does go away after the engine runs for about 10 minutes. I haven't been able to isolate the problem, but speculate that its either the altenator or a bad pully. The belts are tight.

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

[hospitalbuilder]

I experience a similar issue from time to time. My belts are in good shape and tight, but when my car is outside and it's cold outside... really f'in cold like single digits or negative, it squeals for a few minutes until the engine warms up (and warms up the belts I assume). Then it goes away, and I have not had the same problem when the temperatures are more reasonable.

I have not given it much thought beyond that.

[SnowSurfLax]

Likely either:

1. Old Belts not holding their tension2. Bad Alternator pulley3. Belt tensioners need replacing

I have the same issue, but don't live where it ever gets below 40 so almost never hear a squeak. My tensioners need replacing, got quoted ~$425 to get it done. I can live with the noise until I decide to either keep this rig or get an 04 in a year or two.

[fueler]

Likely either:

1. Old Belts not holding their tension2. Bad Alternator pulley3. Belt tensioners need replacing

I have the same issue, but don't live where it ever gets below 40 so almost never hear a squeak. My tensioners need replacing, got quoted ~$425 to get it done. I can live with the noise until I decide to either keep this rig or get an 04 in a year or two.

whoa man u sure? i had the same symptoms (loud squeal on cold start) and i couldnt figure out how to tighten the belt, the tensioner wasnt cooperating with me, i took it to Z-whizz and they tightened it made the squeal go away for like $20 or $40 cant remember the exact price

[Andrew224]

Just had that same exact squeal corrected at the dealer. Belts, alternator pulley, and tensioners were replaced. Thankfully covered under warranty.

Andrew

[Chuck Tribolet]

Do you check the tension when it's COLD? REAL COLD? I suspect the coefficientof expansion of aluminum is greater than the coeficient of expansion of whateverthe cords in the belts are made of. The motor contracts more than the beltand the belt gets loose.

The auto parts stores sell some stuff called "belt dressing". That might be worth a shot.

If you have this problem, pay attention to battery voltage. If the belt isslipping on the alternator pully, the battery won't charge well. I had thatproblem with my '70 Datsun PU. It died in the middle of the night in the boonies. I must be living right because the first guy that came along wasa moblile truck repair service. He tightened the belt, jumped and WOULD NOTtake money. I did get a bunch of his cards and gave them to friends. Oneof the cigarette lighter digital volt meters would be a good investment if youhave the squeal.

Andrew224: your dealer threw Nissan's money at it. And how do you have awarrantee on '01 QX4? I should be so lucky.

[Chris92SE]

I get this when it's really cold. It happened this morning (about 18 degrees F).

Belts are fairly new (<15k miles) and they have been through the following:

1) re-adjusted by the dealership last winter (they installed them and I complained, so they did this for free).

2) re-adjusted by a Nissan specialty shop when I had a leak fixed on my oil cooler.

3) re-adjusted about a month ago when I had the alternator replaced at a local shop. I specifically asked if I should replace the belt and he said it still looked new.

I might get some "belt dressing." I have never tried it, but never had such problems with a squealing belt before.

[SnowSurfLax]

I know my tensioners need replacing as they make a whining noise from ~1500 to 2100 RPMS and then goes away.

But, like Chucky said, it could also be the engine expansion.

The cure for that would be to tension it when it is at its coldest. during winter and readjust during summer. Or let the dealer do it so they can take liability for overtensioning just in case.

[larryt]

What are the symptoms of over-tightening the belts? I replaced mine a few months ago, they began to do the cold start brief squeal after a few weeks, so I periodically have to tighten them a bit. If they squeal and I shut it off, then re-start, it goes away. Otherwise it continues for 10-20 seconds.

I tightened one belt a little last night, and this morning, no squeal. But, after a few minutes of warming up, still parked, the vehicle started to shudder, just like when running out of gas. It went away quickly and ran fine on the way to work. You think I over-tightened?

[razzlerdazzle08]

I am going to just let you all know. I had the same issue when I bought mine back in May. I bought it through my dealership I work for so I was lucky to get a warranty on mine. Anyways it would squill everytime I started it. Its embarrasing . Well I was leaving school one day and the squill stopped. However a strange whine developed as soon as it idled down but it was not loud. I went to the doctors office and went to my other job at the time and the brake light came on and battery light came on. I parked it and when I got off work it started normally however the 2 lights were on still. By the time I made a 12 mi trip home the lights got dim so I had to make another 12 mi trip to my grandmothers house to where eventually the dash was a christmas tree. ABS,4wd,Brake,Charging system(only light that was right)Airbag,Overdrive light and Service engine soon was all on. It was the alternator. I had it towed to my work (dealership) and had the alternator replaced and it has not made a noise for 2 months. If you replace the alternator you have to drop the sway bar down. I didnt get to exactly watch but it wasnt to bad. Dont use belt dressing, I never did but one came in that was doing the same thing and it makes a huge mess. Im not saying its the alternator but in my situation it stopped the pig sound...

[Chris92SE]

I am going to just let you all know. I had the same issue when I bought mine back in May. I bought it through my dealership I work for so I was lucky to get a warranty on mine. Anyways it would squill everytime I started it. Its embarrasing . Well I was leaving school one day and the squill stopped. However a strange whine developed as soon as it idled down but it was not loud. I went to the doctors office and went to my other job at the time and the brake light came on and battery light came on. I parked it and when I got off work it started normally however the 2 lights were on still. By the time I made a 12 mi trip home the lights got dim so I had to make another 12 mi trip to my grandmothers house to where eventually the dash was a christmas tree. ABS,4wd,Brake,Charging system(only light that was right)Airbag,Overdrive light and Service engine soon was all on. It was the alternator. I had it towed to my work (dealership) and had the alternator replaced and it has not made a noise for 2 months. If you replace the alternator you have to drop the sway bar down. I didnt get to exactly watch but it wasnt to bad. Dont use belt dressing, I never did but one came in that was doing the same thing and it makes a huge mess. Im not saying its the alternator but in my situation it stopped the pig sound...

When mine did that, my gauges went all buggy. The needles were jumping around. Kind of freaked me out. haha

Please read my last post again -- specifically No. 3.

I had a brand new alternator (not a reman) installed and specifically asked about the belt. It was fine for a few days, then started to squeal again.

I guess it's possible that my brand new alternator is faulty, but it's unlikely, since I am having no other problems.