Hawaiian car hates cold!!
 

I have just moved from Hawaii to North Dakota, and my SVX as well. My old name was SVX-HI, I may have posted a couple times a few years ago, but have sense not been on the site for awhile (got married ie busy). I was mostly and still am more of a browser of threads.

When it first arrived in the great white north the temps were a nice and mild 50s-60s F. This last week it got down in the upper 20s-30s and I noticed it makes a loud screeching noise when started (sounds like the belt or somthing powered by the belt) If I gun the engine, or wait for it to run for a couple minutes, it goes away. It makes the same sound when turning my wheel when I first back out but that goes away by the time I make my next turn.

I just want to know if this is it being pissed off in the cold, and what can I do to prevent it?

Its real embarrassing to sound like a junker when I back out of my appartment or new job.

Sorry for the long post, but I'd appreciate your help

Sounds like belt squeal. How is the tension on the belt? Does it look dry-rotted or cracked? If it isn't the belt, a new power steering resevoir o-ring may help. Is the fluid leaking at all?

What kind of oil are you running?

The belt is only 1 year old. The steering I just had replaced 6 mo. ago, the whole rack and pinion or what ever this car uses. It had to be done twice actually because it didn't "self bleed" like it was supposed to. Maybe there is a leak, I'll check.

Is this caused by lack of fluid you think?

oil is 10w30...I think. my parents picked the car up from the port and drove it half way from Dallas to me, they did the oil change, probably just recommended oil (for Texas).

sounds like the alternator belt to me. Either bad or too loose. If the sound doesnt go away, it might be a tnetioner pulley bearing, but Im betting belt.

I think he meant what kind of oil is currently in your power steering system. There's 2 legitimate answers to this question: Power Steering Fluid or ATF (tranny fluid). Subaru recommends ATF (Dexron II or higher).

If 10w30 (engine oil) is actually being used then get it out of there.

sounds like the alternator belt to me. Either bad or too loose. If the sound doesnt go away, it might be a tnetioner pulley bearing, but Im betting belt.

I hope its the belt


I think he meant what kind of oil is currently in your power steering system.

Oh in that case its what ever the dealership put in when they did the work on my power steering

My vote is for the belt as well and even new belts can squeel if impropperly done

It is most likely the belt. They slip more when cold. As they run and get warm, they get a better grip.

Most likely the tension is not set right on your power steering belt. It could be the alternator belt either, as Chris says, but if it sqeeks more on using the steering, most likely the steering pump belt. Just get whichever is sqeeking tightened to the correct tension.

And the oil in your power steering reservoir should be pinkish colour if it is the correct ATF Dexron II. If it's not, suck it out of there, and put in the correct stuff.

Joe

And I forgot to say, welcome to the Forum.

:)

Thanks everyone, I'm going to try to correct tension on the belt, but how do I know if it is tight enough (aside from it flopping around when I grab it). Do I just tighten it until the noise goes away, is there a risk of over tightening?

Dirk

If you can't twist the belt vertical with your fingers then it's too tight.