If anyone remembers, recently I posted a thread about getting back to Milwaukee from my parents' house only to realize the reservoir tank cap had never gotten fully tightened and had sprayed coolant allll over my bay. This was a couple weeks ago, Saturday I finally started the car back up after replacing the axle and a couple other things, started the car up and there was a loud squeal coming from around the power steering pump reservoir. Went away after a couple seconds. Sunday, started the car back up and the squeal was there again, although it went away real quick. Today, I start the car up, no squeal when I start it, but when I turn the wheel, there is a faint squeal. Since I don't have tail lights on the car right now I just drove it around my parking garage a bit, the steering wheel still feels the exact same as it did before. The car had never made this sound before nor has it squealed of any sort when I started the car.

Is this just by coincidence that the pump or a pulley decided to take a dump just sitting there? Is the fact that the belt got soaked with coolant making the sound and it just needs to be driven to dry up or something? The car has had maybe a total of 15 mins of running time since the coolant mishap. I just run it to running temp and then let it idle for a bit and turn it off.

 

Bingo!

 

I second boxpin. Worst case scenario you need to replace the serpentine belt.

 

Try to thumb-pressure the belt (at the longest segment). It should deflect 1/4" - 3/8". I had a similar incident -- engine oil in my case, and had belt squealing. It took some highway runs to bake/burn/stink and dry.

Any odd behavior in electrical system (fan, misfiring, etc.)?

 

Belt is tight. And no, no electrical issues.


Cool, thanks for the replies. Now I just have to get my tail lights finished so the car can actually leave the garage.