[Starter986]

You said: "...replace it altogether, or clean it and reinstall?" What is "it"?

The squeak/sqwuak I thougt emanated from my starter... wasn't. Pulled the starter... inspected... all good.

Sqwuak remained. I figured it was the chain upon a cold start... for with the engine warm... no sqwuak on subsequent warm engine starts.

My sqwuak is gone since I installed my rebuilt alternator, just ~week ago. I do have that chain rattle, but not as prevalent as what it once was.

Take your car to a mechanic and have them listen to the alternator. Could be the front or rear bearings. Could be one of the two idler pulleys... or the tensioner pulley. Have them check those, too. The noise won't get better on it's own. My rebuild out the door was $207... worth it. Car runs quieter than ever it has in the 2 years I've owned it.

Don't leave us hanging. Report back. Cheers!