loud squealing from front of engine

[Rick]

I have a 91 Legacy Wagon non turbo. Whenever I start my car off from
idle speed with the a/c, heat, or lights on, I get a loud squealing
noise that is proportional to the rpms. Has anyone else had this
problem before? I don't know if it's because the belts are slipping
or if it's the bearings or something along that line in the power
steering or compressor.

 

[Jim Stewart]

I have a 91 Legacy Wagon non turbo. Whenever I start my car off from
idle speed with the a/c, heat, or lights on, I get a loud squealing
noise that is proportional to the rpms. Has anyone else had this
problem before? I don't know if it's because the belts are slipping
or if it's the bearings or something along that line in the power
steering or compressor.

I'm not totally clear on what's going on, but
I may be able to help. The grease in the aircon
idler pulley can get old and cause it to squeak
pretty much continuously and at a pitch proportional
to rpms. Either replace the pulley or clean
and repack the ball bearing in the center.

If your aircon belt is slipping, you'll get a
sort of a chiff/squeak sound when the clutch
engages. Change the belt. The belt has to
be surprisingly tight to prevent it.

 

[mac]

I have a wagon just like that (91 Legacy, no turbo). love it (except for the
issues an old car presents). 220,000 miles (bought it used at 145000)

first, watch the engine while it is squealing. This will tell you lots.

A noise like that can be important/deadly or a simple adjustment. most
common would be a belt adjustment.

then with ignition off (duh!) check the accessory drive belt (once called
"fan" belt, but your fans are electric). On the part that goes down from the
top pully (I recall this is the adjustment bracket, not an accessory) push
the belt towards the left as you are looking at it. if it moves > about 1/4
inch, you need to tighten it. You will need a 12mm socket with a short
extension. Look at the belt bracket and you will see a long screw that goes
vertically. on the bracket you will see a horizontal bolt that goes in
towards the engine at a point near where the long screw goes into the
bracket. loosen that bolt, a turn or so whould do. then tighten the long
screw a little at a time while testing the tension in the belt. when it
seems like it is tight enough that you can't deflect it by about 1/4" on the
vertical section, you have it tightened. then tighten the horizontal bolt.

The ac belt adjusts in a similar manner.(my compressor died long time ago,
and I have it unplugged so i've necver adjusted it. you can chek if it is ac
by turnin off the AC. (or, pull the plug fron top of the compressor under
the hood).

 

[Gilles Gour]

I have a wagon just like that (91 Legacy, no turbo). love it (except for the
issues an old car presents). 220,000 miles (bought it used at 145000)

first, watch the engine while it is squealing. This will tell you lots.

A noise like that can be important/deadly or a simple adjustment. most
common would be a belt adjustment.

then with ignition off (duh!) check the accessory drive belt (once called
"fan" belt, but your fans are electric). On the part that goes down from the
top pully (I recall this is the adjustment bracket, not an accessory) push
the belt towards the left as you are looking at it. if it moves > about 1/4
inch, you need to tighten it. You will need a 12mm socket with a short
extension. Look at the belt bracket and you will see a long screw that goes
vertically. on the bracket you will see a horizontal bolt that goes in
towards the engine at a point near where the long screw goes into the
bracket. loosen that bolt, a turn or so whould do. then tighten the long
screw a little at a time while testing the tension in the belt. when it
seems like it is tight enough that you can't deflect it by about 1/4" on the
vertical section, you have it tightened. then tighten the horizontal bolt.

The ac belt adjusts in a similar manner.(my compressor died long time ago,
and I have it unplugged so i've necver adjusted it. you can chek if it is ac
by turnin off the AC. (or, pull the plug fron top of the compressor under
the hood).

Sorry to have to contradict you mac, but a belt that does'nt deflect
some in its longest portion is too tight. That can damage the alt
bearing and even the front crankshaft bearing is some cases.
The owner's manual, Haynes, Chilton and the FSM indicate you have to
have a small amount of give in the longest part of the belt.
Haynes: «The tension of the belt is checked by pushing on the belt at a
distance halfway between the pulleys. Push firmly with your thumb and
see how much the belt moves (deflects). AS RULE OF THUMB, THE BELT
SHOULD DEFLECT APPROXIMATIVELY 1/4 INCH.»