Car Making Occassional Squealing Sound

[JaY33s240Sx]

I have a 90 240SX, 5 speed...The problem I'm having is sometimes when I start the car it makes a squealing sound for awhile but eventually stops...There have been times when I am driving and the noise starts and it's a really annoying sound...Anyone know what it might be?? I've been told that it's either the belts need replacing or the pulleys...Please help...:help

[navysnail]

check your belts, see if they are frayed, cracked or worn, if they are, replace them. make sure they are tight. if that doesn't help, its probobly the pulleys.

[slo40]

Probably the belt slipping from the alternator kicking on and putting more work and strain on the belt, check the belts and also check to see if oil has gotten on either one. sometimes the power steering fluid will leak and get flung onto the pulley and cause the slippage.

[NISTECH]

does using the clutch have any effect on the noise?

[JaY33s240Sx]

No, I don't think the clutch has an effect on the noise...but I did notice that when the noise starts the lights dim on the dash...

[MikeMurphy]

alternator!

as mentioned before, check the tension on your belts too.

[SunshineAcid]

definately belts slipping. they may not even be frayed, check tension.

[240tek]

Not to jack your thread but I have a similar problem. However, I've narrowed mine down to whenever the heater/ac fan kicks on, it gives me a weird hum/squeal sound. Nothing serious, but it's disconcerting sometimes when it comes on. Sometimes, I'll get the same sound when I depress the clutch. It only happens when I have the air on, either AC or Heat, and the fan is kicking on. Should I be worried? Thanks. PEACE. Tek

[240marcuSX]

mine does the same thing, but i just replaced my belts not too long ago. It only seems to do it when the motor is cold, And it is sometimes accompanied by another undescribable noise, or the motor will die. Only started doing it since winter came in.

240kid - what do you mean "its probably the pulleys"?? the puleys themselves could have an effect on the noise??

[BoyWonder]

Sometimes, I'll get the same sound when I depress the clutch. It only happens when I have the air on, either AC or Heat, and the fan is kicking on.

Could it just be an old fan making the noise? Isn't that called "journaling"(sp)? I know I've seen/heard old non-car fans do something similar IE squeaking sound when they first turn on.

[raging panda]

Changing the belts may only solve your problem in the short term, take some simple green to your pullies also and get the little bits of dirt out, then put new belts on. Mine havent squeaked in a year since I've done that.

[JaY33s240Sx]

thanks for all your professional opinions, i will try them out and let you now the outcome...peace...