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I recently changed the timing belt, tensioner and water pump. Also changed all drive belts at this time. everything was fine for a couple months and now there is a very loud squeling sound when the cooling fan kicks in. Seems to happen when it is cooler outside. Thinking it may be bearing?? Any suggestions on how to confirm? Car is also miles from me now so I need to talk my son through this.

 
Rep Power: 812

the fans are electric, so they are not related to the belts you changed. usually fan noise means the motor is going bad. now if the squealing only happens when you turn the a/c on, that means the shared a/c and alternator belt is not properly tensioned (too loose or too tight). new belts do need to break in and their tightness will change as it gets old, so usually they need to be adjusted again down the road after the initial install. the timing belt has its own auto tensioner, but not the accessory belts.

 
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Thanks. will check with him and see if he has the a/c on when this occurs.

 
Rep Power: 193

Yeah belts tend to loosen up after they get broken in.

I hate the wing nut tensioner b/c it can be a pain, but also love its simplicity.

 
Rep Power: 812

yeah i once had one of those bolts or wingnuts almost back out completely and it was squealing like crazy. the shop said if i waited any longer the alt may have fallen out of its place.

 
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Looks like it was the belts. Service guy said he put new belts on to the same tension and squeking went away. Perhaps I had the belts too tight initially???