Loud screech when starting..

[BladeX10]

Theres a loud screech that comes out of the front of the car as im cranking it. Its usually very brief and doesnt last the whole crank to start the car. Any idea on wtf it is?

 

[Paul]

Your engine belt. Some belt dressing may solve the problem. Or a new belt.

 

[Venomous96Cobra]

possibilities...

bad belt
bad tensioner
both!

or a bad idler pulley as well...

once when my water pump was going bad, it would squeak at start up for a few seconds! then one day it screeched until it seized and shredded the belt!

 

[BladeX10]

Thats what i thought it was.. Ill put some belt dressing on it and see if that helps

 

[Paul]

Yep, venemous is right - any interference or problems with the pulleys can do that too.

 

[Addermk2]

Best course of action:

Remove belt
free spin all pulleys to check for interference
start engine with belt off

If you start it with no belt, and you have no noise... its clearly a belt/pulley issue.