Squealing noise when car starts

[LYDS]

I just noticed yesterday after my son filled my tank my car started smelling of gas real bad. Now I also noticed when I turn the key in the ignition when the motor turns over the is a squelling noise. The noise is coming from the front passenger side of car and once the car starts the noise is gone. Any thoughts????

[paranoidjack]

Sounds like maybe he topped off the windshield washer fluid, or another fluid, and spilled it on your belts. If it goes away in a day or two, you're fine. If not, you'll need to have your belts inspected. He could not have caused a belt to squeal by adding gas, it is not possible, it is a coincidence or he was under the hood for another reason and spilled fluid on your belts. Good luck, and let us know.

[LYDS]

It has been a few days and the squealing noise is still there but only happens when I start the car. I will check the belts, thanks

[maxnix]

Check belt condition (cracks are bad), then belt tension then tensioner bearings.

[LYDS]

I just checked my fluids and they are all good, but I did notice some splatter spots on my engine and hood. I checked my radiator cap and it doesn't look like it is in good condition. I'm going out to replace cap and if that does not resolve the issue then I will check the belts and so on. Thanks again as always, I'm still learning as I go.

[LYDS]

So I replaced the cap but the noise is still there. So where is the starter located, so I can check? Does the started have a belt?

[Q451990]

The starter doesn't have a belt, and I've never heard of one squealing. I would remove your belts and check the idler pulley for each belt for any roughness or harshness when you spin them. They will frequently lock for a second at startup, causing the belt to squeal - if they're failing. Also, check to make sure your pulley on the alternator, water pump, and a/c compressor. Replace your belts with new factory belts if they look cracked at all...

Heath

[Mint Q45A]

Check the bearings in the idler pulleys.
It could also be the ABS pump.

[djwarner]

My bet is a glazed belt. Could have been covered with enough dirt and grit to prevent slipping until it was washed off. I had a 1980 Zephyr wagon bough without an OEM AC. When I moved to Florida, I had an aftermarket unit put on. Unfortunately, pulley placement allowed an occasional slip and squeal just as you described.

Since your vehicle is original specs, the rubber belt is the weakest link and first place to look.

[oldmako]

Glazed belt.,....GO TO THE HEAD OF THE CLASS!

I like to jam cats under the hood in winter after a long drive. They dig the warmth and make really cool noises during start up. The noises don't last long however.

Absent the cats, belts.

[Infinitiguy19]

Leaving the connector for the thermoswitch (mounted on the output side of the engine radiator) unconnected is not a good idea. I did this and forgot to secure the connector (Not the one for the main harness thankfully). The harness got lodged between the power steering belt and got torn up a bit. The Power Steering/Water pump belt need replacement as well as the thermoswitch.

I unplugged the thermoswitch so that I can jump the main connector so the AUX (Condenser) fan would run when ever the Ignition switch is in the on position. If the belt has jumped off the pulley or snapped....This would have been a very ironic situation. But every time I would start the car I would get a whining noise when it was cold and they when it warmed up it went away. I am pretty sure that the connector rubbing against the belt was the cause of that whinging noise. I thought it was the alternator bearing but thankfully it wasn't.

With the new radiator (One year old now) the coolant temp gets 183*F and not more while driving or idling. So all these so called "improvements" I had planned were really not needed, So far. I don't have a AC compressor that spins freely so I am not sure what the Engine coolant temp would be like at 90* ambient temp with the AC on.

[LYDS]

Thank you all very much for your help I will look into all of these suggestions to determine the issue. I will keep you updated.