98 Infiniti i30. squeeking sound on cold start

[infii30owner]

Hi

i have a 98 i30 with 140K miles. It is making big squeeking noise below engine on cold start in morning and also when i give some gas. it doesn't seem to do this after engine is running for say 10-15 mins.

could it be drive belts? i replaced coils, spark plugs, sensor last year to get rid of 'check engine'. i live in san jose, ca.

appreciate your help.

thanks

[robo_geek]

Sure sounds like drive belts. While you're not supposed to use belt dressing on ribbed belts, I don't think the world would end if you sprayed some on the belts to see if the noise changed or went away temporarily. I have a 2007 Maxima and my drive belts were totally shot (all cracked) after only 3 years and 50k miles.

[infii30owner]

it also makes same horrible screeching noise when i turn on A/C.

i had the original OEM belts replaced with cheap ones from kragen 2 years ago. maybe they are bad. don't think i had this noise before they were replaced.

how do i find these drive belts and spray that dressing. if it reduces noise i'll give it a try. why not.

thanks for your help.

[tigersharkdude]

the drive belts are on the left side (passenger). If you are standing with your body on the fender the belts can be seen by the timing chain cover.
You also have to think that its getting cold and those belts are a really hard rubber, and are even stiffer when cold, so as they rub up against metal they squeek.

[infii30owner]

observed an interesting aspect today..

its been cold like in past weeks but this morning i started my engine without giving any gas. somehow i got used to starting engine with one foot on brake and other on gas. today i started without giving gas and i didn't hear any squeaking. after a min or so when i put in drive mode and gave gas, turned on A/c, fan it didn't make any noise. why is that?

[loystock]

Check the belt condition and tension as well as the alignment/positioning of the pulleys and tensioner. And if I were you, I'd replace belts with OEM.

[Gino G]

Check the belt condition and tension as well as the alignment/positioning of the pulleys and tensioner....

This will usually cause more noise than anything, even with newer belts....

[tigersharkdude]

How will checking stuff cause more noise? That doesnt make sense