Help please....regarding drive belts (i think)

[ugharin]

We recently bought a 2000 QX4. It was driving great for the 10 days we had it. We drove about everywhere and it was great. After those 10 days, we took it back to dealership as they called us to replace the timing belt and water pump (part of the purchase deal/agreement).

While putting the timing belt and water pump on, the service guy called and said that the drive belts are worn and need to be replaced too and they wouldnt charge labour and it would be around 95 bucks for the parts only.

I told them to go ahead and do it.

Now, we got it back and there is a loud squealing noise. The first day, it was a short squeal lasting a second or two at crank up/ignition.

But today its gotten worse and is squealing loud and for a longer time. Everytime, I slow down, and then gas it again, it starts and squeals for a good while. Basiclally, this squealing problem is getting worse and I am a little concerned. It was fine until we gave it to them.

I am worried about a larger problem.

1) Say bad engine mounts? Do they have to take the motor out to replace the timing belt and water pump and something could have happened when putting it all back?

2) Or the pulley or something? Or the alternator?

I mean what could have gone wrong when putting it all back together? I am thinking something was no tightened, torgued, tensioned right or something. I am NOT inclined to believe a bad part. I mean everything was great for the days we had it.

Any ideas guys? Dont want to be scammed here by the service guys if thats a possibility too. Thanks in advance.

[fastpathy35]

try tightening the belts a little bit. its free and somewhat easy just to see if thats the problem. other than that, maybe they put their greasy fingers on the belts causing some slipping.

[ugharin]

Hi and thanks for the reply.

I called the service guys where I got the car from and they said to bring it in tomorrow morning and that its just the new belts that would need some adjusting.

I am a little worried though. I am wondering if it could be any one of the following;

1) Either of the 2 tensioner pulleys' bearings2) AC Compressor bearing3) Alternator bearing4) Water pump.5) Anything else that could cause a loud squeal lasting a few seconds at startup

I am especially concerned about the water pump because of this post I just came accross during random search

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.c...0cd21

Please look at the second and third posts in the above link.

Im worried becuase I am thinking something could have gone wrong during when they were putting on the new timing belt, water pump and drive belts.My paranoia is telling me that some mechanics deliberately mess up something so the car owner could take the vehicle back for more repairs and hence more money for the service people.

Please let me know about what you think this squealing at startup could be.