Regarding timing belt and drive belts...

[ugharin]

I just purchased a 2000 QX4 from a good dealership 10 days back and as per our purchase agreement, they ordered and put on a new timing belt and water belt yesterday.

I picked it back up today and noticed a couple of things.

1) The engine is sounding a little rougher and louder during acceleration. Its great once up on the main road speed. I hope its only my imagination but wanted to check with the experts here if it could mean anything - this louder and rougher engine during initial acceleration.

2) As soon as I crank the vehicle, there is a very clear, distinct and audible short squeal lasting about ONE second or maybe 2 seconds at the most. I tried it 4-5 times and every single time, when I crank the engine, there is this short squeal which immediately dissappears. I am not an expert and am not familiar with all the sounds but it sounds like a belt. I once had a squealing noise when I had a bad alternator on my galant but that was continuous. This one sounds like that but is only during ignition/starting the vehicle and lasts a second or two thats all. Could anybody let me know what it could be? Anything serious?

Timing belt too tight or loose? Anything else?

The service guys did replace all the 3 drive belts saying they neaded replacement. Could it be those new belts?

Im wondering if something went wrong during the timing belt and water belt replacement and I seriously hope not. Are there any signs that would indicate an improper installation of1) timing belt2) water pump3) Drive belts

Is the distributor cap/rotor thing got anything to do with this whole thing?

Because he also mentioned that he had a look the distributor also and it was fine and that the only thing I needed to do was to change all the fluids and filters (except the transmission - high mileage@123k) and thats it.

[Chuck Tribolet]

The squeal generally indicates a slipping belt. The timing belt is a cogged beltand won't slip under any normal circumstances, and esp. not when new.

I would guess the squeal is from one of the other belts. Let the dealer knowits happening, and if they suggest waiting a week to see if it goes away, goalong with it.

[ugharin]

Hi and thanks for the reply. There was that short burst of a squeal yesterday after I had got the vehicle from the dealership but its fine today. Cranks up with no short squeal.

But any thoughts on the slightly louder and rougher engine and acceleration?

Anything to do with airfilter and spak plugs and wires, distributor?Timing off mark a bit? Improper timing tension? Anything at all? I am not very strong on concepts...I only know the basics from my mech engg BS from 2002 and I am in an entirely different career of computers now....I know what the components of an automobile are for, in general,but have no idea what happens in various circumstances.