2001 QX4 Screeching on start up

[Fosty]

My QX4 emits an ear piercing screech for about 5 to 10 seconds after I start it up.
It's probably something to do with the belts but I wanted some input from you guys before I started pulling things apart and breaking the car even more.

When I park the car and come back a couple minutes later it doesn't do it.

[04pathse]

My QX4 emits an ear piercing screech for about 5 to 10 seconds after I start it up.

most likely one of the belts are loose and need to be tightened or replaced

http://nicoclub.com/archives/diy-replac ... inder.html

[Fosty]

Thanks.
I was about to ask what kind of belts I needed because I noticed there were two of them but your link seems to have answered that.

Got any tips on being able to access this area better? I was thinking of taking out the radiator because it looks hard to access with it in the way.

[yeldogt]

Just be careful with the adjustment -- have owned three of these vehicles and had problems when a mechanic replaced the belts with aftermarket on the one I bought new. The other two I bought used low mile and they both had aftermarket belts installed ... they both squeaked.

Replacing the belts with OE solved the problem -- the AC belt is a known adjustment spot. You want to keep it tight w/o going to tight as it will damage the bearings. One a belt slips -- its shot .. they never work correctly again w/o over tightening.

The tensioner for the others should be looked at to make sure it's OK ... my guess you are having a problem with the v belt

[EdBwoy]

I found another thread. Don't let the nomenclature confuse you.
squealing-belt-at-startup-t606394.html

Since yours is a 2001, you might want to mention which engine you have. That's the model year with both 3.3 and 3.5 engines IIRC.
Here you'll find the OEM part numbers:
https://www.infinitipartsdeal.com/parts ... -belt.html

[Fosty]

I've got the 3.5 engine.

[yeldogt]

I posted on the link as well.

As I said .. read the online manual so you understand how tight the belt should be. Check and tighten if needed .. but don;t over tighten. V belts get damaged when they slip and its a question of how glazed they are if they will grip when properly tightened,

Obviously any oil or grease will damage the belt. V belts must have the correct angle to properly match the v in the pulley -- I think that's whats going on with many of the aftermarket belts .. they don't match and the belt and pulley are not mating up for full contact.

with the serpentine belts -- it's all about the tensioner. It's not widely understood .. but there is a bit of discrepancy allowed in the belt length and this is most noticeable in the aftermarket word. The OE belts will be the correct length -- even a little bit can make the difference when dealing with an older weaker tensioner .. if the belt is a bit long.

[Hawairish]

Yeldogt has provided sound advice. And you don’t need to pull the radiator or fan to change the belts. It’s a rather simple job. To clear the fan, just slip the belt over 1 or 2 of the fan blades, rotate the fan 180 degrees, and the belt just comes off.

There's also a how-to on NICO: http://nicoclub.com/archives/diy-replac ... inder.html

[Fosty]

Well it seems like changing the belts isn't an option because the nuts will not move at all.
Is there anything else I can do?

[04pathse]

did you use a penetrant oil like PB blaster on them?

[Fosty]

Never mind, my wife had a pipe in the back of her car that gave me the leverage I needed.
The belts have been changed and it's nice and quiet.

Now I just need to see if I make it to work tomorrow in one piece.

Thanks to everyone for your time and help.