Squealing Like a Pig!

Had a squeal for almost a year now. First result was shredded belts last winter, which got replaced.

After belt replacement, squeal came back, different in sound/pitch though. Thought it might be crankshaft pulley, but then decided that it was clutch-release bearing, because it seemed to be coming from rear of engine bay, but I haven't been able to confirm its location, so might be wrong.

Now I've just installed new clutch kit and whaddaya know, squeal is still there!

Squeal is (almost) never there when stationary, mainly kicks in when accelerating or engine braking. It gains volume the longer I leave it, but I can get rid of it completely (for a short while) by flicking the key in the ignition off and on again quickly. Mainly there in 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears, seldom in 4th, and never in 5th.

Anyone have ideas?

What model have you got regarding engine and box?

2003 (M13A).

Transfer box and everything else is standard.

Got 101k miles

same year same engine and i have noticed a slight squeal when fast accelerating in 1,2,3 gears.not loud but its there,so i will follow your endeavour, its not loud enough to worry me at the moment. so when you find the culprit please post it here.
john

Sounds like some likely candidates there, especially since a flick of the key gets rid of the sound. Might mean that the component (PS / water pump etc) is temporarily deactivated, hence sound temporarily disappearing. Will check it out asap

Especially as the belts shredded perhaps the water pump bearing is not running true!

Will also look into the belts, definite possibility there. When I replaved last belts, seem to remember the new belts weren't same spec as handbook recommends, but memey is fuzzy on that one.

Been squealing really bad today in the heavy rain (NE Scotland). Wonder if that is further ammo for the belts theory...

Belts sound very likely if they are screeching on startup. A correctly tensioned belt should not screech! There is enough adjustment to allow some different belt lengths to work but obviously there is a limit.

Also check the bearing in the tensioner on the power steering belt. They get dry and screech/squeel, but are easily pressed out and replaced. The bearing is a standard size, available from your local bearing shop.

Thanks Busta

Now just to find the time...