Questions and Answers
Squealing Like A Pig
Q. I have a 1988 GMC Kurbmaster Step Van, it has a rebuilt GMC 350 engine. When the van is idling there is a high-pitched squeal, when in gear and accelerating the squeal subsides. I have checked the alternator and smog pump, they don't seem to be the problem. A friend tells me it may be the water pump bearing, however the noise decreases with acceleration, also there is not a metallic grinding noise.
What do you think it may be?
Thanks in Advance,
RichardA. I had a customer come in the shop a few weeks ago and she said when she started her car that morning, it sounded like a cat screaming under the hood. I walked outside with her and opened the hood and I just kind of stared for a while. She looked under there and got quite sick. The reason it sounded like a cat screaming was because it was a cat screaming. A cat decided to take a nap inside the fan shroud and when she started the car.... well, I'll leave out the details.
The best way to find the squealing noise would be to remove all the belts and start the vehicle. If the noise is gone, then you'll know it's not the engine itself. Then put the belts back on one at a time, running the engine between each belt. When the noise comes back, you have found the problem. It's more than likely a loose or glazed belt.
