Short Squeak on start-up

[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!

[tommy583]

I would make sure all the spark plugs are tight. I had a chirp on acceleration and that was the problem. It would only do it under load. I could rev the hell out of it in neutral and it wouldn't make the noise. Plus checking them is free.

[Finnegan]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm only guessing it's the starter because it only happens once when I start it on cold mornings. Later in the day when it's warmer outside, no squeak.