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Check the belt alignment with the rest of the pulleys and idlers and if ok remove the belt and spin the alternator and power steering along with any other pulley to see if you can find the squeal. I hope this helps. Take care.
What vehicle is this on? Do you know which belt it is? The most common reasons for a 'squealing' belt are either a loose belt or a worn old belt. It squeals because it is slipping on the pulley wheels. Get it replaced as soon as possible as a worn belt won't be spinning the alternator fast enough to charge the battery correctly. A new belt is usually cheaper than a new battery.
idler pulley or belt tensioner usually makes the squealing noise..put a long steel bar (extension) near the pulley and listen to the noise by putting your ear near the tool and you will hear it
Have your hubby take the belt off and turn the pulleys by hand to make sure the idler pulley, a/c pulley, power steering pulley, and the alternator pulley all turn reasonable free and without binding. This is the easiest way to see what's binding and causing the belt to squeal. Another thing is to check alignment of the pulleys to make sure they're all on the same plane. If not, the pulleys will squeal the belt. Most likely a pulley that's the culprit..
You didn't mention the alternator, power steering pump, or water pump. In fact, any pulley other than the crankshaft one can have a bad bearing or dry seal. Remove the belt and spin each pulley while listening for any rough noise or squeal. If it was the crankshaft, it might be time to check the oil. Start the engine with the belt off to see if it does squeal. Make sure the noise isn't coming from the radiator fan(s).
It is either the tesnioner or the belt....easy way to find out is to spray the pulley that has no grooves....that's the tensioner. Spray it with WD-40 or equivalent, in the middle of the pulley. That is the bearing housing. Spray only that first. Start the motor...if it goes away, then you have found your problem. Try not to spray the belt.
If it still squeals, spray the belt with the engine running. If it squeals, replace the belt.
Has anything been done to the motor recenlty? If so, one of the pulleys may be a little off-centered.
The noise is most likely the serpentine belt. Check it's condition and that of the belt tensioner. It sounds like the belt is slipping, causing the squealing noise u describe. As the belt warms up, it's getting a better 'grip' and the noise stops. Turning on the heat also turns on the a/c in newer cars, this added drag on the belt (one more component to turn, the a/c compressor) would explain why it happens when u turn on the heat. Is the belt original? If yes, it's time to change it, and check the belt tensioner to make sure it's doing it's job of keeping the belt snug on all the pulleys. Let me know how u make out.
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