Hi there,
I've been having trouble with (what I think is the alternator belt) on my 98 Cinq SX.
When I press on the accelerator (whether idling or in gear) there is a high pitch squeel from the front left of the engine (where the belt is located I believe).
I recorded the sound and have attached it to my post (you'll have to unzip it to get the mp3 file) to give you a better idea of what the problem might be.
I got the car serviced and they replaced the belt, but within a few days the sound was back. It was just happening in colder or wet weather, but in the last few weeks it is constant when accelerating in lower gears and intermittent in higher ones.
I had a search of the forums and have found this is a relatively common problem. Here is what I found by way of a solution:
"you need to try tensioning the auxiliary drive belt using the alternator tensioner bolt. first loosen the alternator mounting bolts, then tension the belt, then re tighten the alternator mounting bolts.
if it still squeals it may mean one of the pulleys is slightly out of alignment causing the belt to constantly brush the side of the pulley guide wall. this can usually be fixed by adjusting the position of the alternator or power steering pump."
Is this correct??? Or is there something else I need to know?
Basically I will not be able to do this myself (I am completely useless when it comes to repairs) but I'd like to be able to tell the mechanic exactly what the problem is and what needs to be done to fix it (seeing as my last attempt to get it fixed failed).
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Robert
PS. I'm also getting very poor fuel economy out of the car (never more than 35mpg) so what do I need to tell the mechanic to do about this? Change air filter for fuel? Thanks.
I've been having trouble with (what I think is the alternator belt) on my 98 Cinq SX.
When I press on the accelerator (whether idling or in gear) there is a high pitch squeel from the front left of the engine (where the belt is located I believe).
I recorded the sound and have attached it to my post (you'll have to unzip it to get the mp3 file) to give you a better idea of what the problem might be.
I got the car serviced and they replaced the belt, but within a few days the sound was back. It was just happening in colder or wet weather, but in the last few weeks it is constant when accelerating in lower gears and intermittent in higher ones.
I had a search of the forums and have found this is a relatively common problem. Here is what I found by way of a solution:
"you need to try tensioning the auxiliary drive belt using the alternator tensioner bolt. first loosen the alternator mounting bolts, then tension the belt, then re tighten the alternator mounting bolts.
if it still squeals it may mean one of the pulleys is slightly out of alignment causing the belt to constantly brush the side of the pulley guide wall. this can usually be fixed by adjusting the position of the alternator or power steering pump."
Is this correct??? Or is there something else I need to know?
Basically I will not be able to do this myself (I am completely useless when it comes to repairs) but I'd like to be able to tell the mechanic exactly what the problem is and what needs to be done to fix it (seeing as my last attempt to get it fixed failed).
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Robert
PS. I'm also getting very poor fuel economy out of the car (never more than 35mpg) so what do I need to tell the mechanic to do about this? Change air filter for fuel? Thanks.