'91 Accord - loud squeaky noise on cold start

When I start up my '91 Accord in the morning, immediately after I turn the
key, I notice a loud high frequency sound coming from the engine. The car
seems to run fine, and this does not happen when I start the car while it's
warm. If I recall correctly, this seems to start happening after I had my
timing belt changed a week ago.

Besides changing the timing belt, recently I also had the oil gasket and
spark plugs changed.

Any idea what's going on?

Thanks for any comment/suggestion.

Cheers,
Dave

 

By the way, the sound lasts for a very short duration, almost instantaneous.
After that, the engine seems to run normally.

- Dave

 

It's probably one of your belts. To replace the timing belt you have to
first remove all the accessory belts and then reinstall them afterwards. If
they are put on loose, they will usually 'squeal', particularly at start up.

John

 

I agree with the intelligent person that told you that the sound is
probably the result of a belt slipping. It could be the timing belt or one
of the other belts. You might have a friend start your car while the
engine is cold. Before the friend starts the car--open the hood and see if
you can identify which belt is slipping. If you don't notice any belts
slipping--it's probably the timing belt. Another option is to take it back
to the mechanic that changed the timing belt--tell him the problem and let
him fix it for you.

 

If it's indeed a loose belt, is this an urgent problem that needs to be
fixed right away. Does it damage the engine or cause any hazard if I drive
the car for another week and then take it to the dealer to be fixed? The
reason I'm asking is because I've made an appointment with the dealer next
Saturday so I don't need to take time off work to get the car fixed.

Thanks,
Dave

 

Probably not a critical problem if its just a loose belt.

Try this: Tomorrow morning when the engine is still cool (and not running),
reach down in there and try to push in the middle of the longest run on each
belt. If you can deflect it a half inch or more with about 20 pounds of
force, its too loose.

If the belts are all tight, then your problem might be bearing failure in
one of the pulleys.

Either way it should run for another week until you get to the dealer.

 

Which belt is it? If it's not the timing belt, the other belts in most
cases can be made tighter by loosing the bolts on the item (eg alternator)
and moving in such a way that it makes the belt tighter. If a friend
tightens the bolts on the item as you pull it or push it--it's even
better. Many mechanics have a tool that makes the job easier and does not
require a fellow mechanic.

 

If the timing belt slipped (more than one or two teeth) the engine would
likely not be running. The noise is probably coming from one of the
accessory belts, i.e., alternator or power steering. What usually happens
is that a mechanic will install new belts which then stretch a bit and
become a little loose since they did not compensate for the stretch during
the initial installation.

I agree with that advice. The belts should be adjusted at no charge.

Eric