Ok, so for a couple weeks now, every so often, not consistently, maybe every couple days, when I am driving, I hear this mellow little squeak. When I first noticed it, it seemed to only occur at low speeds IE first-second gear for about 5 seconds until I got to 15mph and it was an off squeak, something rotary, it wasnt a consistent *insert squeak sound here* that lasted all 5 seconds, it would squeak, stop, squeak again, stop, etc. but the interval was the same, which is why I'm sure its something rotary. It also, like I said occurs inconsistently. I've noticed no pattern to it happening only on cold days, hot days, rainy days, early mornings/first start of the day, post-freeway, nothing. It is also inconsistent within the trip, it'll do it when accelerating from one stop sign, but not the next, sometimes not the next after that even, depending on my route. So my first guess was either the brakes, the axle, or the transmission, but then the other day, while I was idling at a light, I heard it and I wasnt even moving. Identical squeak, identical interval. That brought my guess back to the drawing board and now I'm guessing at a loose belt or something like that. Any ideas?

I was under the impression when I bought the car that the tbelt had been done, the guy I bought it from said it was but (I know, big mistake here) I didnt ask for verification on it, and didnt take it to the stealership pre-purchase to have them check it, and bought it anyway. My logic told me that since the car looked in excellent condition, minimal body damage, gears all shift smooth, all the small details like that, I took it to be that the car was well taken care of by the original owner that had it before the guy I bought it from. Along with that, she's got 140k so I also assumed that the tbelt was done since I have large doubts that it would have lasted that many miles without blowing by now. With that in mind, is there a chance thats what the squeak is? Or is it more likely that its the serpentine belt? Maybe a wheel that is turned by the belt needs some oil? I'm at a loss here. It doesnt have any negative affects on driving, the car still accelerates fine, stops fine, turns fine, idles fine and all that, its just an annoying sound and for all I know could be a precursor for something worse so any help would be amazingly appreciated.

TIA,
-Justin

 

No ideas?

 

Have you check the A/C and PS belt tension?

 

PS being power steering?

I have not, my time has been limited recently and I have not had much time to fiddle with it. But it sounds like a good idea, however I'm not sure how. Is there a DIY for checking the tension? Do I need some fancy tool or anything? I don't even know where to look haha. I'm guessing you mean to just see if the belt is loose, but it is it all one belt or is it separate belts or do you mean see if the tensioners are loose or something like that? The extent of my auto mechanics knowledge is changing oil, tires and brake pads and thats about it, engine mechanics stuff is a foreign language so I'm going to need pretty simple instructions. I am curious though, you mentioned a/c, would it make noise even if the a/c is off? Cuz don't run the a/c unless I'm on the freeway and most of my driving is city so I havent had the a/c on much in the last few months.

Thanks for the help though, hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to tinker with it and see if I can see where its coming from and if I can localize it to a specific pully, tensioner, belt or whatever, I'll take a pic and post up to see if you or anyone else has an idea about what to do about it.

 

PS being power steering, yes.

In general, if you can twist the belt more then 90 degrees past itself with ease, it's loose. Check them for cracks and glazing. You'll likely need to get under the car and remove the lower front underpan to check the belts. If any of the belts are loose, they may intermittently cause noise. Even if you don't use the A/C, if you use the defog function or have an auto A/C unit, the compressor may kick in randomly and cause a noisy belt to become more noticeable.

Another source of the sound may be the secondary air pump dying, especially if it's more noticeable at startup. The pump is cycled on by the ECM to test the emissions system and help the cat light off. Or possibly even a dying N80 valve (EVAP purge valve). This valve purges the fumes from your fuel system into the intake, but it is pulsed by the ECM and can often make funky rhythmic noises up by the intake air box.

See if you can get an video or audio posted.

 

Thanks, I'll go test this out next chance I get.

The secondary air pump isn't likely though, I have yet to get that fixed, it's been unplugged and throwing a cel since I got the car in may. I've got a pretty full schedule the rest of tonight but I'll go drive around tomorrow and see if I can get it to start making noise again and when it does, pop the hood and see if I can isolate the location a little better and ****** an audio clip if possible.

The PS seems kinda viable though, when it makes the noise and I'm not idling, it seems to do it more frequently when the wheels are turned but even then it doesn't always do it, maybe one in six turns I'll notice it so I dunno what to think.

Thanks again for the help, I'll tinker tomorrow and let you know what comes of it.

 

Ok, I think I may have figured it out.

Went to get new tires today and when they pulled the front driver's side, they said that the ball joints were bad and that it needs an alignment. He showed me how it wiggles though its not supposed to. So would that be cause for this squeak? Which, I may add, is significantly worse since having the new tires put on. It's definitely not a belt, its the same squeak, just a lot more frequent and occurs strictly on left turns from dead stop, steering along a curve it doesnt do it, at least not bad enough to be noticeable so would that be the cause? Seems likely to me...

And on the subject of ball joints, what's the estimate to get them replaced? The guy at the tire store I went to recommended doing all 4 at once; the two on the front driver's side wheel, and the two on the passenger side. He said he was unsure of exact prices for parts but guessed it to be between 300 and 500 dollars installed, is that average? Is it a fairly simple job, such that I could do it myself if I got the parts? Is there a chance that the dealer might be cheaper? I know they charge out the *** for labor, but if the parts arent too bad pricewise and the job is quick, could they potentially do it for 200-300?

 

Normaly you replace the whole control arm(s) and not replace the ball joints/bushings individually. You can get a complete front control arm set that includes new tie rod ends for $450ish.

 

Dam, thats cheap but quite a fair pile of cash after 600 on new treads... For a poor college student that is... I dont want to push off getting it fixed, considering the obnoxious noise as well as wearing down these new tires quicker than normal, but I think I'll have to put it off for now.

Whats the estimate for an install? Is it a quick job that would take less than an hour for either the stealership or a local garage like the place I got the tires to do? Also, are you referring to buying the front control arm set online or is that like an average price for such parts either directly from VAG or at the local garage? It definitely sounds like a better idea to do the whole package for a little more if not the same amount of money as just the ball joints, I just need to make sure some place doesnt yank my chain and up the cost cuz they need to "special order" the parts or whatever.

Thanks for the advice,
-Justin