sitting_zen Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Hi, never posted before, and I'll shamelessly admit that I know nothing about Subarus, even though I own one (I do, however, know more than enough about Volkswagens to make up for it ). Anyway, I got my 99 Legacy wagon used over the summer and the guy I bought it from had told me that there was a problem with the axle, so I had it checked out at a mechanic and they said that it was fine. So, whatever, I was cheap and figured that the guy had been mistaken (just threw that in because I thought it may be important somehow). Anyway, fast forward to November when it starts squealing really obnoxiously for like 5 seconds on startup, and ONLY when the engine is cold. Recently (I mean, like, December 17), the car also started making the same squealing when making right turns that I don't accelerate through. However, if I'm turning left, or if I accelerate (even slightly) through the turn, the car makes no noise. I'm getting kind of nervous driving it because I have no idea what's going on. I know I should take it to a mechanic, but, alas, I am a poor college student that needs to know how much money I'll need BEFORE I do anything. So, yeah, if anyone has ANY ideas about what could be wrong, please throw 'em at me. Thanks a lot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 My first guess would be loose/glazed/worn "fanbelt"...but I believe in your case it would be Serpentine belt. It is slipping at startup, then heats up enough to grab, at least until you put more load on it from the power steering pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 My first guess would be loose/glazed/worn "fanbelt"...but I believe in your case it would be Serpentine belt. It is slipping at startup, then heats up enough to grab, at least until you put more load on it from the power steering pump. I agree with this post I think NorthWet has nailed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setright Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 My vote is with NorthWet, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Its a fan belt, more likely the p/s belt .i dont recall if AC comes on in the first 5 seconds when you start the car to lubricate everything, some do, so it can be that belt too. Since we have no idea of mileage on the car , i would recomend chaniging the belts. You can tighten them, but do it per the owners manuals specs. Not to pick on you, but ive been curious of late, seems more and more strange noises threads under the hood, yet no one seems to open the hood to try to determine where the noise is coming from. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 [...] seems more and more strange noises threads under the hood, yet no one seems to open the hood to try to determine where the noise is coming from. I suspect that those who lift the hood can often figure out for themselves what's making the noise, and don't need to post. --OB99W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 awwwwwwwww so they just want to make us feel wanted (ok that grin is demonic) nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitting_zen Posted December 19, 2005 Author Share Posted December 19, 2005 a) I apologize that I didn't put the mileage of my car. I totally forgot about it, because I was trying not to forget anything. 115k, by the way. I really am not a car retard, I swear. I've rebuilt a VW bus, so I suppose that counts for something, eh? Also, once more, in my own defense, it's hard to look under the hood when you live alone and have no one to start the car for you (remember, it's hard to start the car, then dive to the front long enough to examine stuff in under 5 seconds, right?) c) Thanks a lot for your input. I'm going to check out the serpentine belt later this morning to make sure it's not too worn or anything, and if it is, thank you jesus for giving me something that I can fix pretty simply myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiny Clark Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 Probably the best thing to do in this situation is just replace the belt(s), then you won't have to worry about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OB99W Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 [...]I'm going to check out the serpentine belt later this morning to make sure it's not too worn or anything [...] On my OB, the belt that drives the PS also drives the alternator, but it's not run in what I'd call a "serpentine" manner, although it is multi-ribbed. As long as the belt isn't severely cracked, missing ribs, or extremely glazed, you might be able to tighten it just a bit. If it's like my 2.5l, there's a tensioning device at the left (as you face it) front of the alternator. The adjustment bolt head is at the top, but don't turn it until you've slightly loosened the locking bolt, which is a bit below and faces forward (threaded into the alternator "ear"). After loosening the lock, I'd try turning the adjustment only one turn (clockwise), retighten the lock, and see if the problem is gone. If not, try again, but don't get too "ambitious"; if you overtighten the adjustment the alternator and PS pump bearings might start making their own bad sounds. --OB99W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitting_zen Posted December 19, 2005 Author Share Posted December 19, 2005 Thanks a lot for that little bit of advice, OB99W. I was kinda worried because I had checked the serpentine belt and it looked almost brand new, with no cracks or anything resembling wear (I guess the previous owner had put on new belts before he sold it). I'll try that out later and see how that goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 ...I was kinda worried because I had checked the serpentine belt and it looked almost brand new... If it is fairly new, it might not have been tensioned propely on install, or it may have stretched a little and needs retensioning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunered Posted December 19, 2005 Share Posted December 19, 2005 hey nipper will you come listen under my hood while i start it?i cant be in both places,just kiddin---MERRY CHRISTMAS and a happy new year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted December 20, 2005 Share Posted December 20, 2005 If you were ion florida i would think about it nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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