Hello folks.

Have a quick question. I noticed a couple days ago a squeak coming from the front of car when I am idling at a stoplight. Here are the conditions:

1. The squeak will not be heard when the engine is cold. Only after I've driven for awhile and the engine is warm will the noise start.

2. The squeak is heard only when idling at a stop light or sitting in park. As soon as I tap the accelerator, the noise immediately goes away and nothing is heard.

3. I tried to see if it might be the blower motor or something. I disengaged the heating blower while idling, and the noise was still there. Re-engaging it made no difference in the sound.

4. I popped the hood to listen and to try and figure out where the noise is coming from. It definitely sounds like it's in the front of the car. I couldn't tell if it was the belt or not, but it's in that area. It almost sounded like the noise was loudest immediately to the upper right of where the belt is. But again, as soon as I accelerate, the noise immediately goes away.

What do you think the problem might be? Alternator? Water pump? Something more simple like a loose belt or something? I have been checking for coolant leaks but have found nothing as of yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for reading and for your replies.

mike, i love the poster of the virgin Mary!

the sound may be from the belt or the belt tensioner.
better have it checked right away. while it may be
a DIY job for some, but i would rather take it to my trusted
mechanic. parts and labor could be at 200 bucks more
or less.

cheers!!

BTW, also replace the tensioner damper (small shock
absorber) while all is taken apart.

My guess is that it is the tensioner assembly. If you are getting a chirping noise especially when its damp it is the sepentine belt slipping due to lack of constant tension. The tensioners are notorious for failure.

__________________
1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

I have a 2 litre 190, with the electromagnetic cooling fan, when its not active (just freewheeling when the engine is ticking over) it makes a squeaking noise...however im not sure, but i think the 2.6 has a viscous fan instead.