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Old 12-24-2022, 10:12 AM   #1
blackbird984
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Default Squeal on Cold Start

A month ago my 2012 Impreza started squealing loudly on startup. It always goes away after a few seconds.

So far I have changed the belt, the tensioner, and both idler pulleys. I also noticed that the alternator pulley was squeaking when turned by hand. Had the dealer test the starter, alternator and battery - all good. The tech was unconcerned about the alternator squeak. The noise got much much quieter after all this, but still present.

Today being the coldest day yet, the squealing was louder and took much longer to stop when driving the car to warm it up. It was intermittent but still there for the first 3 miles or so of driving.

Any ideas on what this could be?






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Old 12-24-2022, 03:10 PM   #2
Elbert Bass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbird984 View Post
A month ago my 2012 Impreza started squealing loudly on startup. It always goes away after a few seconds.

So far I have changed the belt, the tensioner, and both idler pulleys. I also noticed that the alternator pulley was squeaking when turned by hand. Had the dealer test the starter, alternator and battery - all good. The tech was unconcerned about the alternator squeak. The noise got much much quieter after all this, but still present.

Today being the coldest day yet, the squealing was louder and took much longer to stop when driving the car to warm it up. It was intermittent but still there for the first 3 miles or so of driving.

Any ideas on what this could be?






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There was a TSB for belt squeal: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...17529-9999.pdf

Otherwise: This is where you get yourself a mechanics stethoscope, have someone start the engine cold and you listen to the non-moving parts nearest each pulley until you locate the one with the loudest, sharpest, clearest sounding squeal.
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Old 12-24-2022, 04:04 PM   #3
blackbird984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbert Bass View Post
There was a TSB for belt squeal: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...17529-9999.pdf



Otherwise: This is where you get yourself a mechanics stethoscope, have someone start the engine cold and you listen to the non-moving parts nearest each pulley until you locate the one with the loudest, sharpest, clearest sounding squeal.


Thanks for the info! Turns out I just got the new belt without knowing about the TSB.

I’m going to follow the advice here on listening cold. I don’t know why this didn’t occur to me. Good thing I already eliminated 3 idler pulleys and the tensioner. I guess all I have is alternator, water pump, AC.


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Old 12-24-2022, 08:22 PM   #4
blackbird984
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@Elbert Bass since I replaced the idler pulleys I assume it’s a waste of time listening to them? I’m asking because it seems like I have 1/2 chances per day to test this.






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Old 12-25-2022, 12:15 PM   #5
Elbert Bass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbird984 View Post
@Elbert Bass since I replaced the idler pulleys I assume it’s a waste of time listening to them? I’m asking because it seems like I have 1/2 chances per day to test this.






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Yes and no. You could listen to other components first and then if you don't isolate the noise check them. You did replace the spring loaded tensioner assembly as well? I have seen them get weak and cause slippage until the belt warms.
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Old 12-25-2022, 05:10 PM   #6
blackbird984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbert Bass View Post
Yes and no. You could listen to other components first and then if you don't isolate the noise check them. You did replace the spring loaded tensioner assembly as well? I have seen them get weak and cause slippage until the belt warms.


I replaced the tensioner too. It’s the Subaru part.

How could the new pulleys be making noise?


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Old 12-26-2022, 01:41 PM   #7
Elbert Bass
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbird984 View Post
I replaced the tensioner too. It’s the Subaru part.

How could the new pulleys be making noise?


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That was why I asked about the tensioner - I have seen weak tensioners allow belts to slip on new pulleys. Did you use a Subaru belt? Was it the belt number stated in the bulletin? If it is an aftermarket belt it could be the rubber is real hard when real cold and that will cause slip/squeal. Heck if it is cold enough any belt will do that.
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Old 12-28-2022, 08:19 PM   #8
blackbird984
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Elbert Bass View Post
That was why I asked about the tensioner - I have seen weak tensioners allow belts to slip on new pulleys. Did you use a Subaru belt? Was it the belt number stated in the bulletin? If it is an aftermarket belt it could be the rubber is real hard when real cold and that will cause slip/squeal. Heck if it is cold enough any belt will do that.


I originally used a Gates but I got suspicious that maybe it’s a hair longer than the oem belt. So I replaced it with the one belt from the tsb.

This last weekend during the deep freeze it squeezed for a good while.

It’s weird because this never happened with my original belt until the noise started.


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Old 12-29-2022, 12:11 AM   #9
xtremewlr
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Cold will make the belt squeal. It stops as the belt warms up from friction. I belt if you leave it be until weather gets warm again, the issue resolves itself. Especially if you've already replaced the belt and idler pulleys.
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Old 12-29-2022, 08:51 AM   #10
K3rm1tth3fr0g
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Originally Posted by xtremewlr View Post
Cold will make the belt squeal. It stops as the belt warms up from friction. I belt if you leave it be until weather gets warm again, the issue resolves itself. Especially if you've already replaced the belt and idler pulleys.

It should never squeal even when cold....
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Old 12-30-2022, 09:44 AM   #11
blackbird984
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Originally Posted by K3rm1tth3fr0g View Post
It should never squeal even when cold....


I agree


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Old 02-07-2023, 09:44 PM   #12
thewraith420
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Default

Moisture on the belts ,one of the pullies is on the way out or adjust your tension use a long screwdriver ,hose or a mechanics stethoscope to isolate

Last edited by thewraith420; 02-07-2023 at 09:47 PM. Reason: Adding more info
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