Hello: I have a 1997 XJR that exhibits an intermittent belt squeal for 1-2 minutes when cold.

All the belts are new within 1500 miles.
I have removed each belt and checked each accessory for resistance to rotation.
Cleaned all belts and pulleys.
Made sure all belts are adequately tight.
Gone as far as removing the seals from the idler wheel bearings,cleaning bearings out with kerosene,drying with compressed air and repacking the bearings with high temp grease and re installing seals.
The car still squeals on startup.
Does anyone know where to look next to fix this annoyance?

Thanks

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Thu, 01/15/2009 - 06:49

hi,

generic tip here, not familiar with the 97 XJR but new Belts will stretch, so a new re-tightening is usually needed.

but If no change after re-tightening, it could be a bad Idler Pulley, dried out, screeching, or any other pulley up front, like the Water Pump, or Power Steering Pump pulleys.

Take a long piece of wood, a broom stick without the broom is perfect, place it in front of each pulley making sure it is touching the face of each pulley as it turns, while holding it to your ear to listen as someone else starts the engine and shuts it off inmediately. The stick will transmit the screeching noise to your ear. Using metal or a "mechanic's stethoscope" can blow your ear drums, so NO METAL, NO STETHOSCOPE.

NOTE: even then, this is a very dangerous way to check, make sure you are in control of the stick end touching your ear, you don't want the stick to kick back.

JAM