belt squeal

we have a 94 civic the belt squeals a little but when you press the clutch
the squeal goes away, i am thinking its the idler pulley am i right or
wrong ?

 

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The clutch is at the opposite end of the engine from the clutch, and the
engine spins the same speed whether the clutch is in or out, so it's
more likely the throwout bearing is squeeking against the fork, or it's
starting to sieze, and pushing the clutch in stops the noise.

It can happen at any mileage. Ever had the clutch adjusted?

'Curly'

 

the clutch is brand new, it was replaced in february.

 

It's probably one of the belts. I don't know whether they still make it
but it was once possible to buy some sort of chemical that could be
sprayed on belts to keep them from slipping. It was a sticky substance. If
they no longer make belt spray, the only solution is to adjust the
alternator or whatever else is the source of the problem. Some mechanics
have a special tool that can be used to make belts really tight.

 

My 95 civic (62K miles) does the same thing with the clutch. if you push
the pedal in enough to take up the play in the pedal but not engage the
clutch itself - the noise will stop. (by the way the noise is more like a
chirping of sorts) I know for a fact this is the throwout bearing you
shouldn't necessarily replace the throwout bearing by itself because it is a
50 buck part on a 300+ dollar job due to labor. this bearing should always
be replaced when the clutch is replaced. if your clutch starts slipping
then you should replace everything. that's what im waiting for.


- Jeff

 

the clutch was replaced in february this year,so should i be concerned or
can it wait a couple of months,the chirping comes and goes.also is it ok
to drive it around and all.

 

If you recently replaced the clutch and the source of the squeal is from
the clutch, an adjustment of the clutch should solve the problem. I
mentioned in my last post that it could be from a lose belt--I should have
mentioned that you can do an easy test to see if a lose belt is the source
of the problem. You should open the hood.
One person should stand next to the car and watch and listen to the belts.
The other person should start the car. If the squeal is coming from the
belts, the person standing next to the car should hear it and even be able
identify which belt is slipping.

 

well i know my chirping is from the throwout bearing and i still drive it
120 miles a day to work and back. as long as you clutch is still engaging
ok you are good to go aside from the anoying sound. dont take my word for
this as i am not a mechanic in any way - this is just what i have been told.

 

I agree with you and the other poster--the most likely source is the
clutch. If you did not install the new clutch, take it back and tell the
person that installed it that he needs to adjust it.

 

thanks guys so much for helping me out. i am wondering why he didnt fix the
throw out bearing when he replaced the clutch. unless he did and like you
said it just needs to be adjusted.

 

When you take it back, you can ask him whether or not he fixed the throw
out bearing. It's hard to second guess mechanics. I suppose that it is
possible that he took a close look at the throw out bearing and determined
that it did not need to be fixed or replaced. Mechanics and doctors can
make mistakes. It happens on a regular basis. I once read about a doctor
that accidently reversed the xray and ended up cutting off the wrong leg.

 

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Bearing may be new, but the part where the fork rubs on the bearing
needs to be greased, and maybe he didn't know that?
Here's a quote from a (Chiltons) CRV manual...

||||||| On re-assembly, apply a high temperature grease to the ears of
the release fork where it contacts the release bearing, and to the inner
surface of the release bearing and its guide tube. |||||||

Also, shortly after you replace a clutch is the time it should be
rechecked because it wears a lot until it gets 'seated comfortably'.

'Curly'

 

it could be the fork but when my fork squeaks its only when i am pushing the
pedal all the way in (to the floor) and it makes a god aweful sound like a
dieing cat. the way i fixed it was to get some white lithium grease (kind
in a can with a straw like wd-40) and gently sprayed it on the forks fingers
making sure not to get the clutch disk. this can be done by sliding back
the fork boot on the front of the engine right behind the radiator. once
again i make no guarentees on my suggestions and it may not work for your
car. also spraying any type of grease in, near, around your clutch is
highly not reccomended.

 

Curly,
This is good advice. However, don't you think that they mechanic that
messed up the job should be the person that repairs the problem for free?