my fiancée's 2002 toyota echo has belt squeal when she runs the A/C (or vent) at startup...if it's off, there's no problem and if she waits until she's moving, there's no problem...it only seems to happen in idle with the fan running...i assume this is a slipping belt, but she just had tommy replace the belt last summer because it was doing the same thing...it was fine for a few months, and then it started doing this again

since it happened with the old belt (it was original and the car had about 105k when it was replaced) and now with the new...could it be an idler/tensioner pulley bearing? A/C or fan clutch?

and now back to my saturn, which is dying a slow death at 150k...the other day i noticed that while idling it was hovering around 500rpm and occasionally dipping below it, trying to shut off...then, while i as a stoplight, it completely cut out...it cranked right up and hasn't done it again since, but i wasn't sure if this was a prelude to something...fuel issue? computer going bad? bah.

[Edited on June 7, 2010 at 9:55 AM. Reason : .]

6/7/2010 9:51:01 AM

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING GUYS!

what do you think i pay you for?

6/8/2010 9:05:46 AM

on the saturn, check for a vac leak

6/8/2010 10:06:55 AM

Re: Saturn - I had a similar problem on my Tahoe (133K miles). Rough idle and occasional engine cutoff at really low speeds (ie, in a parking lot/no gas pedal). I cleaned the throttle body out with some carb cleaner and a toothbrush, it's been fine since.

6/8/2010 5:11:48 PM

I had almost the same thing happen on Jamies lil Protege and it turned out to be the AC pump. Mazda only sells the whole thing as a unit for 500 plus moneyz so I took the pully off and got a 14 dollar belt. There is no need for A/C here in Mt w00t

6/8/2010 5:15:30 PM

Unless I'm missing something, with the echo you replaced the belt and the squeal went away (regardless if it's temporarily). Even if it comes back a few months later or a few years later the action of replacing the serp belt solved your noise issue. For this particular case, just replace it but buy it from the dealership so you know it's OEM quality/composition - which could also be the reason it starting squealing so soon if it was from an auto parts store mfg with different composition but meets the same reliability criteria. So long as you're sure it's the same squealing sound from the belt as last time, then a new belt would work. Also keep in mind rain, high humidity, and/or any coolant or oil seepage on the pulleys or belt can cause them to slip more often than when they're dry. Regardless, a $20 accessory belt even from the stealership would be the easiest and cheapest way to eliminate one of the main variables. You can also use some of that anti-squeal spraycan stuff on your belt if you want to verify that it's not the bearings on anything.

6/9/2010 10:37:31 PM