Installed new Bando drive belts the other day in my 02 Accord 4-cyl. When starting the car in the morning or after several hours, there's a slight squeal for 2 seconds from the alternator belt. The squeal is so brief it is easily drowned out by the starter if not looking for it.

There are no noises the rest of the day, even when there's load on engine with the A/C or headlights on. Belt has about 1/4'' deflection when pressing down with 2 fingers so it seems tight. I already checked all the pullies earlier and they have no play. Does the belt just need to be tightened a little more? I can live with the noise if it means not over-tightening and damaging the alternator bearing.

 

It is OK for a quick squeal at start up. I would rather have that then to have it over tightened and cause damage. Check the deflection between the crank pulley and the alternator which should be the longest run. After you run the car for a few weeks recheck the deflection and tighten again if needed. Never over tighten the P/S because there are only two points of contact where as the alt. and A/C belt has three so it can handle being a tightened more due to three points of contact.

 

A noise very much like a belt squeal (piercing squeal) can happen on startup as the engine intially catchs. It is not a belt, but starter motor being overdriven by engine due to failure to disengage starter from flywheel cog.

It is a common problem on many Honda/Acura products. Fix is to remove an carefully, clean/lube the shaft the starter pinion gear slides on.

One way to know for certain is to remove accessory belts and start engine. If noise persists, you know it's the starter.

good luck

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm just going to leave it alone for now. Oddly enough, it didn't squeal at all when I started the car this humid and wet morning. I even had the headlights on. I'm just going to leave it alone for now. Hopefully the squeal was just the belt settling in.

And TexasHonda, I know exactly what piercing starter noise you're talking about. My car's practically had that since I bought her off the dealer lot back in 2002. Car's always fired right up so I never paid it any mind.