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mtb1bkr

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I have a 2002 Ford Focus that has as of late developed an annoying squeal sound some times when I first start it up. It doesn't happen every time and it doesn't matter if the car is cold or hot. It sound's like two metal objects are rubbing together at a rapid rate of speed, ie. something that is spinning is rubbing against something else that is not. The noise last for about 20-30 seconds and then goes away. It only happens within seconds of starting the car and it gets worse as I accellerate until it just stops all together in a few seconds. It happens if the tranny is in park or one of the driving gears. As it last's for only a bit, I can't jump out and try to locate the area it's coming from. Any ideas where I could start to try to figure out what is making the noise?

Thanks,
Bill
 
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I wouldn't think an alternator belt would sound like two metal objects rubbing. Something that spins (alternator, water pump, ... ) may have a bearing that is starting to go bad.

Have a friend start the car while you stand in front with the hood up and see if you can tell where the noise is coming from.

I am assuming that when you say "start it up", you mean "using the starter to take the engine from not running to running." ( As opposed to "take the car from not moving to moving." ) In other words, you hear the noise even if you start the engine then just sit there at a dead stop.
 
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A cheap way to test the belt theory is to pick up a can of belt spray at your local auto parts store. A few light squirts while the engine is stopped ought to do it. If you try to spray the stuff on while the vehicle is running, you will end up wearing a good portion of what you spray!

WG840
 
The belt tensioner bearing would give a metal on metal sound if it was starting to go bad.
 
Either the belt (or belts) squeeking or a tensoiner on one or both is loosing the bearing.
 
Tension pulley bearing,,,, If a stick shift, The throw out bearing can do the same thing....
Either way,,, Have someone else start it while the hood is open and you have a 3' long piece of heater hose in one ear and the other end ready to diagnose! !! !
Peter
 
sar4937 said:
Slip the serpentine belt and recheck. Possible glazed belt, or tensioner.
Click to expand...

I don't know what "slip the belt" means.

"Have a friend start the car while you stand in front with the hood up and see if you can tell where the noise is coming from."

This would work if it made the noise every time, the problem is, it's only about 20-30% of the time that it does it. The frequency is starting to increase though. And you are correct about it being when I actually turn the ignition to fire the engine.

"Belt Spray"

I'll have to pick up a can of that and check it out.

"Either the belt (or belts) squeeking or a tensoiner on one or both is loosing the bearing."

I bet the bearing is the porblem. Is it easy to check the tensioner bearings and where would they be.?

"Squealing? Have you checked for mice or other small mammals?!"

I thought originally one of my gerbiles was fussing when I started the car, but I checked them all and they are fine.

I should have said, the car has about 87K on the odometer and has not had any major work done on it since I bought it new. No replaced parts or anything other than oil, oil and air filters, breaks and tires. I figure it's about time to do a good tune up on her to keep her running for a long time.

Bill
 
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Peter,
That's an idea I hadn't thought of for locating the problem. I would have stood there with the hood open "looking" for the sound. As mentioned above though, it doesn't happen every time I start the car, only occasionally.

Bill

pred said:
Tension pulley bearing,,,, If a stick shift, The throw out bearing can do the same thing....
Either way,,, Have someone else start it while the hood is open and you have a 3' long piece of heater hose in one ear and the other end ready to diagnose! !! !
Peter
Click to expand...
 
Keeping with the belt / accessory drive idea , before you start up grab the belt tensioner pulley and idler pulley (if yours has one) and see if there is any detectable play, an alternator bearing usually doesn't squeal , rather they develop a "grumble". Water pumps will usually leak before the bearing gets that bad.

Ray
 
check to make sure your belt is tight. find a spot and wiggle it back and forth. it shouldn't have more than about 1/4 inch of play. also check it for tiny little cracks. my guess is its the belt or tensioner(sp?)
 
To verify what Klein said (and I would check this) unplug the clutch for the A/C compressor. If the noise is coming from the A/C clutch after doing so, the clutch and/or bearing for it may be bad. IIRC you didn't state a mileage or equipment? Serpentine tensioner, water pump bearing (have you recently had a timing belt done?), alternator bearing, power steering pump (a Ford favorite @ high mileage) etc. A long screwdriver used as a stethoscope can assist also by being held against a suspect drive unit, with your ear against the end of the handle.
(Don't put it against anything turning!)
 
I think those stating belt or belts are on the right track. If it were a bearing I'd suspect the noise to be constant. You don't need "belt spray", a good shot of WD-40 on the belt would tell you, we do it at the shop all the time. The main thing WE need is for you to narrow it down to a location. We can throw around ideas all day long as there are A LOT of metal parts in a car so pop the hood, leave your car door open, start the car and run to the front to try to locate the noise.
 
Slip the belt=remove the belt. This will isolate the noise to something driven off the serp belt. While unloading the tensioner you will notice whether it moves freely, and check the belt for cracks. The engine can be run for a short time without the belt, with the engine off pulleys can be spun to find the noise. On the other hand, if the noise is still there without the belt in place you can definitely start looking elsewhere. Draw a diagram so you know how to route the belt when you restall it.
 
here is an old trick I use often to find funny noises, get a 3ft piece of hose(like fuel hose or whatever) stick one end in your ear(not to far please).......take the other end and poke around untill you can verify where the hoise is comeing from. Nice thing about the hose is, it wont rip your ears off if it gets in the fan or whatever.

you can also rev up the motor from under the hood, just look for the cable to the carb/FI
 
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