Squealing noise when car starts

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b_crazy

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What could it be? It's a high pitched squealing sound with a slight grinding sound.

It only makes this noise when the car has been parked for a long while (overnight) and after a long day at work. It started yesterday afternoon.

The sound dies out after about a minute or so. Checked the engine oil and the levels are good.

It's a ford focus (no cambelt)

Edit: The car drives fine.
 
Sounds very much like a fan belt.

It could be a little loose or it could have some oil on it which causes some slipping. Once the inertia of the belt is broken and it begins moving with the engine the noise will tend to die down as there will be less slipping. It could also be throwing some of the oil off the belt as it moves so the slipping, and the noise, is reduced after a while.

I know you were saying your oil levels are fine but you don't have to sweat much oil to get that belt to slip so you probably wouldn't notice any significant oil loss.

EDIT: luckily a relatively cheap and simple thing to fix. Not critical either. Don't leave it too long though as they can cause damage when they finally come off.
 
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TehStranger said:
You made me laugh. That rarely happens online anymore. Well done.
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Lol good to know.

OT : The fan belt is loose or has warn/expanded slightly, so when starting is makes the noise as it's not making proper full contact, but after starting to drive it warms up/expands/makes better contact, so the noise goes away.

Not really sure how else to explain it, but imagine a belt turning something, if the belt is loose, it doesn't grip tight enough, so "spins" and then eventually grips....... it's the "spinning" that's making the noise.
 
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Add Sunlight liquid to the belt, not too much just enough to make it sticky. Only a temp fix. Will take the noise away but prob better to just get a new belt and make sure it's tight enough.
 
You can always rub soap on the fanbelt to stop the noise.

Seriously, old trick :p
 
Pitbull said:
Add Sunlight liquid to the belt, not too much just enough to make it sticky. Only a temp fix. Will take the noise away but prob better to just get a new belt and make sure it's tight enough.
Click to expand...

Not the liquid, actually use the green sunlight bar of soap -hold it against the belt whilst the car is idling and it takes it away.
 
Fazda said:
Not the liquid, actually use the green sunlight bar of soap -hold it against the belt whilst the car is idling and it takes it away.
Click to expand...

Sorry habit. Yes, correct the Sunlight BAR. Just so used to talking about Sunlight liquid :o
 
Pho3nix said:
No idea but I concur with the fan-belt statement. When you turn does the sound start up again?
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After a short drive, no. Only when the car has been standing for a few hours.
porchrat said:
Sounds very much like a fan belt.

It could be a little loose or it could have some oil on it which causes some slipping. Once the inertia of the belt is broken and it begins moving with the engine the noise will tend to die down as there will be less slipping. It could also be throwing some of the oil off the belt as it moves so the slipping, and the noise, is reduced after a while.

I know you were saying your oil levels are fine but you don't have to sweat much oil to get that belt to slip so you probably wouldn't notice any significant oil loss.

EDIT: luckily a relatively cheap and simple thing to fix. Not critical either. Don't leave it too long though as they can cause damage when they finally come off.
Click to expand...
I'll get a mech to look at the belts.
TehStranger said:
Yebo, loose fanbelt, easy fix.
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Are there chances it could snap if I don't fix it ASAP?
 
b_crazy said:
After a short drive, no. Only when the car has been standing for a few hours.

I'll get a mech to look at the belts.

Are there chances it could snap if I don't fix it ASAP?
Click to expand...

Fan belt won;t snap because it's squicking. A fan belt just snaps. if it's too loose you will see the battery light come on. Just tighten it by adjusting the alternator. Sometimes belts just squick so just add soap :p
 
Purply said:
View attachment 129349
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:p
Purply said:
Lol good to know.

OT : The fan belt is loose or has warn/expanded slightly, so when starting is makes the noise as it's not making proper full contact, but after starting to drive it warms up/expands/makes better contact, so the noise goes away.

Not really sure how else to explain it, but imagine a belt turning something, if the belt is loose, it doesn't grip tight enough, so "spins" and then eventually grips....... it's the "spinning" that's making the noise.
Click to expand...
OK got it. At least the problem won't run me a few grand.
Pitbull said:
Add Sunlight liquid to the belt, not too much just enough to make it sticky. Only a temp fix. Will take the noise away but prob better to just get a new belt and make sure it's tight enough.
Click to expand...

Kosmik said:
You can always rub soap on the fanbelt to stop the noise.

Seriously, old trick :p
Click to expand...
The noise doesn't really bother me as much as the cause does. I'll get my mech to check it out this evening. Thanks
 
Pitbull said:
Fan belt won;t snap because it's squicking. A fan belt just snaps. if it's too loose you will see the battery light come on. Just tighten it by adjusting the alternator. Sometimes belts just squick so just add soap :p
Click to expand...

OK... So the belt runs from the alternator to the fan, and in a cold engine if the belt is lose it will squeak until the engine is warm enough causing the belt to expand and eventually 'grip'?

So I need to check for a worn, loose or oily belt... basically?
 
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