Toyota pickup cold weather issue

[funkendrenchman]

My 94 Toyota Pickup makes a squealing noise at high RPM when the engine is still cold. When the air temp is in the teens or 20s the noise will go away after about 3 min of driving. It sounds like the squealing of an engine belt. I am not too concerned at the moment, but I want to make sure it won't lead to some major problem down the road.

[lemon boy]

try tightening your belts (well check em first). Look to see if there's any cracking on the belt(s) (usually shows up on the inside) as well. If you leave belts loose for too long they'll break.

[Cruiser]

If I were in your position, I'd replace the belt or belts. It's a fairly inexpensive repair that could save you from bigger problems down the road (alternater not charging properly, water pump not pumping enough water, ect.). Don't bother with the "stop squealing" sprays from the auto parts store, they are just a band-aid. My 2 cents.

[lemon boy]

FYI cheaper/better than the stop squealing spray (which as indicated is not the "right way") is just a bar of soap rubbed onto the belt a little bit.

[Superstar Punani]

I had that same shit a while ago. The belt was just misaligned and needed adjusting and tightening.

[funkendrenchman]

I had that same shit a while ago. The belt was just misaligned and needed adjusting and tightening.

Sweet, sounds like an easy fix. Thanks.

[runethechamp]

As said before, the belt is too loose. And again, take a look at the belt to make sure it's still ok before you tighten. And then, make sure you don't tighten the belt too much because then you will destroy your bearings on whatever is connected to that belt.

Oh, here, this is an excellent source for toyota fixes. Online factory service manual: http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/. Now you can fix everything yourself on your Toyota pickup. If you have the V6 engine, feel free to PM me with any questions since the engine bay is pretty much identical to the 94 4runner I have.

[dfinn]

FYI cheaper/better than the stop squealing spray (which as indicated is not the "right way") is just a bar of soap rubbed onto the belt a little bit.

at first I was thinking that this is a pretty nifty idea. then i wondered what would happen if/when the belts got wet. wouldn't this just make them slip even worse and cause more problems? the belt dressing they sell in stores is probably water repellent/resistant.

[fez]

As said before, the belt is too loose.

maybe. could be an idler pulley or accessory is jammed and has stopped spinning. once the belt gets hot it will slide over the offending pulley no problem. before you do anything, take a look and make sure everything is spinning when you start the truck.

how do i know? just replaced a stuck idler pulley in my truck.

[lemon boy]

at first I was thinking that this is a pretty nifty idea. then i wondered what would happen if/when the belts got wet. wouldn't this just make them slip even worse and cause more problems? the belt dressing they sell in stores is probably water repellent/resistant.

actually the soap molecularly bonds to the belt under the heat generated by the initial slips and once incorporated into the belt there's no danger of it washing off.

[runethechamp]

maybe. could be an idler pulley or accessory is jammed and has stopped spinning. once the belt gets hot it will slide over the offending pulley no problem. before you do anything, take a look and make sure everything is spinning when you start the truck.

how do i know? just replaced a stuck idler pulley in my truck.

Good point, didn't even think about that one.