Alrighty, here's the deal: At cold start, when I start the truck, if I don't let it warm up to operating temperature (temp gauge needle right in the middle), and take off, it seems that between about 1K rpms and 2K rpms, when I let off of the gas, there is a squealing that comes from the engine bay. If I load the engine (press the gas) the squealing stops. If I slow down to come to a stop, then at about 700 rpms, the squealing stops. If I am driving, and it is squealing, and I put the transmission in N, and rev the engine, the squealing DOES NOT stop. However, when the truck reaches operating temp, the squealing goes away. It seems that it only squeals when cold, when the engine is unloaded, but in drive. As I stated earlier, when in Neutral and coasting, the squeal remains. I'm baffled. I thought it was a belt, but would a belt be so picky about when it squeals? I was thinking perhaps something in the tranny, but I don't know. Like I said, when it warms up, it goes away. Its starting to bum me out, but it's got me worried, that perhaps there is something greater. I do need to take it in for the LBJ recall, perhaps I will have them take a look at it. :pat:

What do you guys think?

By the way, for those who don't know:
2003 DC Tacoma, auto, 4wd 54K miles.

Thanks!

 

Could it be a pebble stuck between the rotor and the caliper? Does it go away when the brakes are applied?

 

I would think that the calipers would crush the pebble once he hits the brakes or just make the noise louder.

It also doesn't sound like it only happens under load, because you said that it still happens when you're moving, you shift the tranny into Neutral and rev it.

 

Just for fun, did you make sure your belts were good and hit them with some belt dressing anyway?

 

An a/c pulley could be picky if/when you use it....as could a loose tensioner...or the various bearings up there....

 

That was gonna be my next move...I visually checked the belts and they look ok, and they don't have any excessive play in them. I'll try some dressing. (Thousand Island, perhaps... )

And I don't think it's a pebble in the wheels, because I have hit the brakes, and it doesn't stop, and the noise does go away when fully warmed up...

 

Mine was doing the same thing - belt dressing (ranch ) fixed it. I Probably will be needing new belts soon but the dressing fixed the problem temporarily.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll try some dressing and see if that deals with it. If anyone else has any ideas, feel free!

 

IME, if belt dressing solves the problem, then it's time for new belts. Repeated application of belt dressing will overly wear the belt pulleys, resulting in a more complex and expensive fix than getting new belts put on ASAP.

 

You're right, but I'm thinking that if dressing "a-dresses" (get it? ) the problem, then that will tell me that it is time for new belts...

 

I suggest using Italian dressing...the oils in it should really help.

 

Update... checked the belts, and dressed 'em a bit. Still making the noise. It's really baffling me. It's only when in drive, and only for the first few minutes of driving. This morning, the truck was completely warm before I left the house, and it still did it for the first couple of minutes. It sounds like a belt, but could it be something in the tranny? I'm really not familiar with auto transmissions, so I wouldn't know. If I don't figure it out, I may just have to take it in to get it looked at. Seems to be running fine, no hesitation or rough shifts or anything. And again, after a few minutes, it goes away...

 

Well belt dressing does not always stop the squeak as i have learned. the belts are cheap, its an easy 30min job to change them. Now also i had a squeaky chirp before at the same speeds you mentioned and it turned out to be a u-joint. Get someone to listen out of the vehicle for you or stick your head out the window/open the door. Noises bounce around and sometimes it is difficult to narrow them down from the drivers seat. I thought my ujoint noise was coming from the front drivers side before i narrowed it down.

 

Thanks, Godzilla. Changing the belts is on the to-do list anyway, so perhaps you're right. As far as the u-joints go, it doesn't make sense why the noise would only happen only in the first few minutes of driving, and only when the load is not on the engine, as the driveshaft would still be spinning. I'll check 'em out but I don't think that's it. It has only been doing it since the temps dropped around here...

 

I hear ya on the temp drop. and odd noises always come out when i gets cold..we are at -20 celcius now. I doubt it would be the ujoint as well but who knows. Well i think its narrowed to the belts for the most part. The pattern of squealing will be random at first and then become continuous and unbearable where it sounds like you are dragging a retarded pig in heat.

 

I just sprayed coffee, man!
Yeah, at this point, the belts are the only thing that I can really look into myself, so if that doesn't fix it, I'll have to take 'er in. :cry:

 

Mine does the same thing, it's just a squeaky belt though. Stops after a few minutes of running.