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I have an 02 Civic EX Coupe Manual 5spd with 121K miles on it. Just got it. No idea when any belts were replaced.

When I put the car into motion when it has just been started, there is an incredibly loud squealing from the engine compartment. I noticed that when I turn the AC on and off, the squealing either totally goes away or gets slightly quieter. The sound only lasts until 3.5K RPM in first gear then disappears.

Does this sound like serpentine belt problem? Thanks!

 
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I have read many other pages with a similar problem. However none have been as specific as mine.

 
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You have 2 drive belts.

They should have been replaced new at same time as engine timing belt was replaced.

At 110k miles.

 
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So since I do not know if any of these have been replaced, you think by best bet is to replace both drive belts and the timing belt?

 
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check your belts.....are they loose?

 
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It's the belt for the AC and alternator that's not tight enough.

Check belt condition first, decide if they need replaced.

Brand new belts can stretch after they have been run a while-- and need readjusted.

 
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Can you please explain how to properly analyze the condition of the belt? Check for glaze? How much slack should there be?

If the belt is in good condition, can you please explain the steps on how to readjust the tension? Thank you so much!

 
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The rated is life 110k miles, or 7 years.

Recent purchase ??

No service records ??

I'd go OEM, and get someone trustworthy to perform the job. AND to properly tighten the alternator mounting bolts.

And yes, you should be able to see something when it is squealing.

 
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look for cracks on the underside/grooved side of the belt,

just push down on the belt between the crank pulley and alternator to check for slack, the belt should be fairly tight and should only flex/move about 1/8 inch or even less

 
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Yes recent purchase. Correct no service records. I have a friend that is a decent mechanic but doesn't know everything. He has been teaching me what he knows.

So I need to buy a new OEM belt and properly tighten the alternator mounting bolts?

The problem is that the squealing 99% of the time only occurs when the car is in motion. So it is hard to see inside the engine compartment when it is squealing... lol.

 
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Thanks Mikey I will check when I get home from work after the car has cooled off. It's raining right now.

 
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Sorry for the late reply. The two belts I can see look okay. I can only reach the obvious one on top. I pushed on it and it doesn't take a lot of force to flex it a lot. The visible pulley doesn't budge at all.

 
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the top one is power steering. the next one is the ac belt.

have your Mechanic friend look at it.

remember if your timing belt breaks, most likely the valves will get bent. this is very serious! big $$$ damage. consider changing your Timing belt ASAP! (you will have to take the valve cover off to check the timing belt)