Help with a squealing noise coming from engine

1998 toyota tacoma
120k miles
5 speed
4 cyl
single cab

Here is a video I took that highlights the sound.

http://youtu.be/epGwQ36rEuc

Im new to trucks, and just bought this guy a month ago and it runs great but there is a squealing noise that I'm unsure of.

Side note--its really cold here in north carolina currently (if that makes diagnosis any easier)

Basically when I start the truck up I wont hear anything negative, but then when I pull away I'll hear a slight to moderate squealing sound that seems to increase in speed and slightly in intensity as I gain momentum. I would describe the squeal as a more "roational" type of sound that I imagine is from something thats turning. I say that because its not a constant long elaborate screetch. It defintely doesnt do it over about 25-30 mph range and it only lasts for maybe 10-15 seconds as im pulling away from a stop.

Its been hard for me to figure out what to check for because the noise isnt always super consistent and constant, and like I said-Im new to trucks.

Could it be a belt of some kind? if so how do I check for that?

Thanks for all your help!!

 

I'm thinking belt look for cracking or if its worn..good rule of thumb is if the previous owner says that they have done all regular maintenance take it as they have done none.

 

I tried to record an audio clip with my cell of what it sounds like. It's so sporadic...is there a handy write up on how to change the belts?

 

The belts don't looks super worn, but then again I'm probably not the best judge. Any other suggestions ?

 

Definitely your belts. they don't have to look cracked or worn to squeal, they will squeal if dried out too.

Cheap attempt to fix is belt dressing from the auto parts store. Just spray it on, sometimes it actually works.
Proper fix is to replace the belts.

Edit, after your video, sounds fairly minor. I'd try some Berryman's belt dressing first.
Most likely it's just moisture/condensation from a cold start and not really a problem. If it were my truck I'd leave it alone until it really got on my nerves.

 

Take a bar of soap and lightly press it again the belt as it spins. I can tell you enough be damn careful. But if your Boise goes away it's the belt is dried out.

 

Belt dressing, for sure. But squealing is often a symptom of a bigger problem. Check the water pump first, that's usually the culprit. Improper tensioning can also lead to belt squeal.

At 120k, you need new belts anyway. Replace them before they fail.

 

Thanks guys

 

UPDATE: so I used some belt conditioner and I'm still getting the chirping/squealing sound. So if the belts aren't the culprit what could it be ?

Ps: I assume I conditioned them right (literally just sprayed it on the belts as the engine was running)

 

Like I said, sometimes it actually works.
Are the belts tight?

 

they feel pretty tight as far as i can tell, how much play should there be? and how do I tighten them if thats the problem ?

 

Is this an auto or manual trans? I think Auto. This is long but just giving some things to think about.

After you did the belt conditioner stuff that I would not have used but used a bar of soap, just because I know it would have worked if it had been the belts. I don't know enough about belt conditioners to know if they work as well, I think they are a money thing. Soap works. If it was your belts you should have been able to get it to happen by having your hood up and have someone give it a bit of gas, the belt noise if it is a belt should of been heard.

Could be a water pump bearing. Could be an alternator bearing or any bearing that is running off the belts and stops after it warms up a bit. Could be a throw out bearing if you have a manual trans. Maybe a wheel bearing. Maybe just a cold thing.

I don't know how savvy you are about what you are doing but they be a real simple way to check the bearings and other parts if you can get it to happen with the hood up. Take a long screw driver or a real long socket extension and place it on the parts you think the noise is coming from and the other end to your ear, maybe give just a bit of gas and you will hear the noise if any. Now keep you hair and all clothing from moving parts. If this is only happing after you take off for a short time, I would rural out the belts.

Sorry but I didn't hear any noise in the video unless you talking about the swishing sound I hear like something turning or rubbing against something. If that is the noise you be talking that has nothing to do with the belts or anything under your hood. Another thing if you want to rural out some things is to take one belt off and run the truck not long but you talk like it stops after a short bit. No luck put it back on and take the next belt off if you have more than one. That will tell you about the water pump bearing and the alternator bearing or belts. It will not hurt your truck running it just a short time like in the video. Then you can move on to other parts of the truck.

Or bite the big one and take it to a shop, then you be into the bucks $$$ at the shop. Just take your time you will figure it out. Looks like it has no real effect on the running of the truck right now. How about a pic of your truck and pics of the wheel area.

That sound almost sounds like rust on your brake calipers. Is this happing only after it sits over night? Can you drive the truck and have the noise stop, then let it set a bit and drive the truck again then do you hear again. Hell I have a new Rav4 and it makes that sound but I know it is just rust on the calipers because I can get it to stop by touching the pedal a few times.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1s...nge-your-belts-p-s-c-alternator-2-4-2-7l.html good luck my friend.

 

is there a way to accurately gauge the tightness of the belts? I literally have no idea how tight they are supposed to be...I dont really want to undertake the task of replacing all the belts if the squealing/chirping sound can be quelled but adjusting the tension.

also how does one adjust the tensioner?