HELP! Squealing when accelerating.

[Brad Cogan]

Hey, I've had this issue for about a week or two and have noticed it getting worse.


What happens is that when I accelerate in any gear and the engine reaches about 1500-2000 RPM, something squeals. The more I put my foot down, the louder the squeal. When I release my foot off of the accelerator the noise instantly stops.


Note - This doesn't happen if I rev the engine in neutral or with my foot on the clutch.


The car is a 2007 GP active with 63000 miles on it (no AC).
I've also recently had battery problems and have had to get the battery changed as it was causing the starter motor to grind.


Just wondering if anyone has had a similar issue and knows what it is. I'm assuming a belt is loose/worn but I have no idea. I'm guessing (and hoping) it's not my timing belt!

Many thanks,


Brad

 

[Eklipze3k]

Timing belt won't squeal, but the aux belt will. The aux belt drives the alternator which charges the battery, and if it's been slipping it could explain your previous issue.

An Active I'm assuming has the 1.2 8v engine, aux belt is an easy job on these engines but if the timing belt history is unknown you might as well change it along with the water pump and tensioner as the aux belt needs to come off to do those jobs anyway. Parts should cost no more than £100 and it's only a 2-3 hour job so labour shouldn't be too bad either if you're not doing the job yourself.

 

[Brad Cogan]

Thanks a lot!


I'll get it checked out. I'd rather ask on here rather than go to straight to some dodgy garage that'll try to lie and exaggerate the issue to try to get more money out of me.


I've gone out and had a look at it and it looks fine but I'm no expert. I'm not sure how tight it's supposed to be either.

 

[Eklipze3k]

There's a possibility that the alternator is seized too. If you start the engine and look down there does it look like it's spinning?

 

[rallycinq]

Remove the aux belt, then take the car for a short drive. Yes, the charging light will be on, but it will do harm while you test to see if the squeal is there or not.

Cheers

D