So there's a slight hissing or squealing sound coming from the front passenger side of the engine bay ( front = by the alternator and all the belts)...so my question is, is the squeal from the belts being dry? or are there vacuum hoses around that area that might be leaking?

 

Belts are suppose to be dry, no wet... You probably have one of two problems.

1. Your serpentine belt tensioner roller is probably squealing. You can quickly take the belt off, start the car, and see if the noise goes away. If it does, it is something in the path of the serpentine belt.

2. If you still hear the noise, you likely have something in the path of the timing belt. Likely an idler roller, water pump or tensioner roller. If that is the case, RUN to get the timing belt and EVERYTHING in it's path replaced.

I had my timing belt replaced at 60k and at 82k the idler roller went bad. The roller could have locked up totally and destroyed my motor. GET R DONE!!!

 

Probably the serp belt or assisting rollers that's worn out and needs replaced.


Whoops, beat me to it. lol.

 

More than likely it is the serpentine. Usually the timing belt components like to go bad without any indication or warning