Santro Xing - Belt noise during Cold Start

[srb]

Hi ,

For the last couple of days , I am having this squeeking noise as soon as I start the car and get into first gear . This noise stays for 20-30 seconds and then disappears never to return again. This is happening only during cold starts . When I checked with a Mechanic , he readjusted the brake belts , but the problem is not solved.

Any suggestions ? I drive a Santro Xing.

Thanks

[fast_elegance]

I guess the squeaking noise is from timing belt. It normally starts making sound when it becomes old and hard. You can try replacing it. Anyway get it diagnosed from the A.S.S.

[MutantX]

srb, hyundai is having free car care camp from 7th Sep to 20th Sep. You can have your car checked.

The squeeking noise is common during cold start *for old cars*. My old Santro used to squeek like a traped mouse. But after changing the timing belt the noise was gone.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by srb

When I checked with a Mechanic , he readjusted the brake belts , but the problem is not solved

What on earth is a brake belt

Either ways, definitely one of the (rubber) belts gone loose. Tightening will solve your problem. While at it, check for wear & tear and see if any of the belts have cracks / need replacement.

[gpa]

^^If the noise persists even after adjusting the belt, it is a sign for you to replace the belt. How many kms has your car covered?

I noticed this sound (only during start-up) on my Xing after 50,000 kms (the belt was chnaged at the 40k service) and replaced the belt again and only then did it stop.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by srb

...this squeeking noise as soon as I start the car

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

...noise is from timing belt.

The squeak is from belt that is slipping - fan belt or AC compressor belt. It is NOT from the timing belt - a slipping timing belt will have more effects than a mere squeak.

Most likely cause - moisture condensation on the belt(s) overnight.

Solution - do nothing. Replace belts if car has run over 80k km.

Indicas esp. the early ones, were famous for this squeak - it was more of a heart-rending screech than a squeak!

[blackasta]

See, after running the car for quite a while (say 80-90K kms), what happens is both the belts go loose/brittle hard, and the pulleys become sleek (As the pulleys in the engine are not of railway grade steel, and are a notch inferior to them). The belt looses traction due to both of these reasons.
Moisture on belts / old hard belts only aggravates this problem. There is nothing you can do except changing the belts with new ones (good OEM ones would help) and pray that they don't go hard and do retain the rubber bite in them for long.
There is a kind of chalk available to put in the pulleys for increasing their traction, but my earlier garage guy did not recommend them. I got all of this funda from him (He was an old American guy, and had serviced a LOT of cars, both American and imports).

[DriverR]

My 1 year old i10 has started making the same noise for a few seconds when I move the car for the first time and/or after a long stationary gap (I get the noise when I start from office in the evening, and even when I go for lunch!) I feel the noise is more pronounced when I turn the steering wheel and when AC is on. All noises disappear after about 5-15 seconds. Total distance done 16K. Btw, I had an Indica before and I know that this is the same sound it used to make. But that was a 7 year old car, and I did not expect my i10 to start making such noises so soon.

The belt should hardly be worn out. Anyways, would ask for a check on my next servicing in a few month's time.

[B.R.S.Rao]

The sound is coming from the belt which turns the AC compressor in your car. Timing belt will not give that sort of squeaks. What I suggest to you is, open the bonnet of your car, put few drops of brake fluid ( preferably TVS Girling)to either side of the belt which turns the AC compressor.(Just few drops and not more than that...) You won't have that problem again.

[nitrous]

Originally Posted by fast_elegance

I guess the squeaking noise is from timing belt

Originally Posted by b.r.s.rao

The sound is coming from the belt which turns the AC compressor in your car.

If its just after ignition, then it is the alternator belt.
Tighten or replace if necessary.

[blackasta]

Timing belt is a serrated one, so squeaks from it means big problem. And also many cars use timing chains, not belts. I am not sure what santro has.

[srb]

I have driven around 36K kms in my car . I went to the service center over the weekend and got it fixed . The mechanic mentioned that the AC compressor belt had to be tightend . I did not hear any noise today . I hope it is gone forever. He mentioned that the belt needs to be replaced by 40-45K Kms and they would do these checks as part of the routine 6 monthly service.