I have a 2005 Malibu Classic with 57,000 miles on it. Today it started squealing while I was at a red light, gassed through the light and it went away. I get home just fine but when I want to take off a little later, I start up my car, there is no squealing, but then I put it into reverse and the squealing starts up again. Drove around the block a couple times and it would start to squeal at low rpms. Also started to squeal a lot when I turned on the AC. I took a look under the hood and there does not appear to be anything wrong with the belt, yet that is obviously where the noise is comming from. It is hot outside and it does not just do it when the engine is cold. Do I need a new belt? My Subaru used to squeal a bunch too, but that was the timing belt, then the engine died when the belt snapped. Don't want any sort of repeat.

Is this easy to fix? I really do not have the cash to have a mechanic do it for me. I'm not sure where the tension bolt is for the belt if there even is one. As I said, the belt itself looks okay. I actually just found out that the cheap looking plastic pully on the top seems a little loose as well, kind of a sqeaking sound when I pull on the belt or push down on the pully.

Update: It still does not squeal when I start the car, but as soon as I hit the break to take it out of park it squeals like crazy

Update #2: After testing it out more, it seems like the only time it squeals is when the air conditioner is on or when im between 1k and 1.5k rpms in park and 1k and 2k in first gear (maybe all of first gear, it shifts around 2k) havent had the time to test it out a whole lot more, like high rpms in first. I am so confused as to what is causing this problem. Im guessing the cheap pully that i previously mentioned was loose is actually part of the tensioner. The belt looks new... it is tight, does not seem to be rubbing on ANYTHING, really loud and annoying and it drives like **** in first gear compared to how it did this morning, so if anybody has any info, please let me know.

p.s. it also seems to squeal a bit when i hit 4th gear at low rpms.

Thanks guys

 

Subaru use a timing belt as do most imports...GMS use a chain aside from the aveo and a couple Daiwoo products, anyhow, ya prolly your serpentine belt loose or gettign worn, could be idler pully as well..either one is nota huge job to fix...pop the hood and have someone gas the car see if it is the pully or the belt

 

Could also be the tensioner.