(G) Belt squeal

Hi

Recently When starting from cold I have a little of belt squeal coming from the engine , I have recenlty had the cam belt changed so it Probably wont be that, My dad suggested that it could be the altinator (Sorry if spelt wrong) belt needs ajusting.
Is this easy to do?
Or could it be something else?
Thanks

pretty sure your Dads right, not a hard job ,just two bolts to losen one that the alternator pivots on and one that allows you to ajust the alternator before you try it though just get hold of the belt and see how much movement there is in it

, or, when they changed the cam belt, did they change the cam belt tensioner? As these can also produce a squeeling noise when cold. Best bet would be to try the alternator first by slackening off the belt, and if its still doing it, then most likely to be cambelt tensioner.

Hope that helps,
Alan

This may sound a bit of a silly question, but what does the squeal sound like?
The reason I ask is if it is a slipping belt it will sound like a car putting on it's brakes hard. If it's a grinding squeal or metallic it could be the bearings on your alternator or your oil and or water pump.
If it is your alternator it is quite simple. Just loosen the two bolts holding the alternator. you will notice the immediate loosening of the whole belt as you release the tension. Next you need to re-tension it and the deflection on the belt should be no more than a couple of inches when pushed down on it at it longest length. Once you retension it, ( I am naughty because I use a small crow bar and wedge it against the body of the alternator and the engine and once I get the tension right I lock the bolts).
Note at this stage too tight a tension and you run the risk of wearing out the bearings on the water/oil and alternator pullys. Too loose and you will not get rid of your squeal.
If it's the other type of squeal, then it may be easier to take your car to a garage and have them test it. any dismantleing of the pumps require the car to be on ramps and oil/water drained. You will also need new gaskets and seals, as well as fresh fluids.
Next time you have a change of oil etc. It may well be prudent to add some ZX1. It blends with water, oil and petrol without problems. Basically what it does is coats all metal parts in a clloidal solution of anti friction material. It is not PTFE or Moly based so will do no damage to the rubber pipes in your car.