The last few mornings I started my xB (2005 with 3,000 miles) there has been a squealing noise. I can only compare it to a car turning with no power steering fluid. It lasts less than 10 seconds and then all is fine. The only thing I can think of for the first time since I have owned the car it has been below freezing in the morning. Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas on what it could be?

 

Sounds like the alternator belt is a little loose and slipping on the alternator pulley when the battery is getting charged up right after you start the engine. It could mean that the belt is a little loose or your battery is getting tired and requiring a heavy charging after starting or both. Start with the belt tension and tighten it if needed before the pulley gets polished too much or else it will get polished and slip forever.

 

I'd just take it in to the dealer, if it only has 3k miles on it, and is still under warranty, get it covered under warranty

 

It sounds like a belt slipping. I wonder if the dealer or warranty is responsible for that. I would apply some belt dressing to the belt. It comes in tubes and spray cans. The spray makes a mess, so I use a tube and put a dab on my finger and rub it on a section of the belt. As the engine runs the dressing will eventually get on the whole belt.

 

good question as to if that is a dealer warrente item or normal wear item. Careful with the belt dressing there because I think the back side of the belt runs the water pump - if it is loose it needs to be tightened. It is unusual for it to be loose in such a short time however so get it checked asap.

 

I have mine at 3300 miles, and I heard the same noise, after a quick check, we decided it was the belt, took it into the dealer (Who refused that was the problem) Until I demanded their shop look at it, 10 mins later they offered to replace the belt, and tighten it up. Dealership was willing to pay for it.

 

Mine did the same thing they replaced my drivebelt under warranty .

 

Are you all having problems starting the engine having to crank it a lot to get it to start - especially when it is warm or just shut off? Or are you taking a lot of short trips of only a few miles or less?

 

mine is doing that, i figured it was it getting colder around here. id rive 3 miles to work, and let it warm a little before i drive so..

 

^^^ IMO you should at least drive it until the blue temp light goes out. Even if you just let it warm up before your short trip to work. Get a remote start. The oil pressure is somewhere in the neighborhood of 90PSI until that light goes out, then it drops to 40PSI.

The best squeel is comon with the boxes. I have replaced mine ( 45K miles ) and my GFs ( 30K miles ) and now again both belts squeel again. I have to get some belt dressing.

 

I have way more than 45k on mine and don't have any squeal, with only 3k I would definately take it to the dealer. I don't see how it could be a wear and tear issue with 3k. Your alternator adjustment bolt might be a little loose.

 

^^^ highly unlikely the bolt is loose. If you ever have to change the belt you would find out that the bottom bolt was installed by the Hulk after you insulted his mother.LOL

I have seen and heard several newer boxes with noisey belts. I guess it just a right of passage.

 

I loosened the belt when I installed my perrin crank pulley, I didn't think it was that bad.

 

The belt dressing got rid of my squeel.

 

On my last car the multi-v belt would squeel because the pulley peaks wore out and resulted in the belt riding on its peaks in the pulley valleys and slipping. Only fix was a new pulley. A bigger alternator pulley may help grip the belt better too - chances are the alternator is trying to put out 90 amps to charge up the battery which is a big load on the belt.