My 2000 Outback wagon (auto) 95K makes a nasty squeal when starting up cold. I recently had the belts replaced, and went back a week later to get the belts tightened due to a squealing when idling at stop signs. I wonder if the mechanic over-tightened and now I have a bearing dying? I can move the belt about 1/2-3/4 inch when pressing on it with moderate force- does that sound correct? with a lot of force I can move it at least an inch.

 

Should I tighten it more?

 

Someone said you can take the belt off and try rotating the PS pump pulley to see if it feels rough. To get the belt off do I just loosen it way down using the nut that's on the long bolt that controls the rotation of the thing that looks like it might be the alternator ? Do you have to re-align anything when you put the belt back on?

 

thanks in advance for any help.

my advice would be tighten that puppy down a little more and see if it works. 1/2" seems like a bit much to me.... i know i have trouble moving mine but then again my subaru hates when i touch it's engine

my advice would be tighten that puppy down a little more and see if it works. 1/2" seems like a bit much to me.... i know i have trouble moving mine but then again my subaru hates when i touch it's engine

 

 

IIRC, the free play in the belt should not exceed 3/8". I'd tighten it a bit more. That said, when it is below freezing, I get some belt sqeal when starting my 1998 Forester. Since the car currently has 221,000 miles on it, and is on it's third set of belts, and has sqealed since new, I'm not real concerned.

You could tighten it a bit, but it doesn't sound like it's very loose.

 

Better off trying to clean the belt and the wheels.

 

Moisture will always cause them to squeal - I often get it after a carwash, but only for few seconds.