Hello, I have a 2003 Cadillac CTS (sports edition) I just recently got a bunch of much needed work on it. Spark plugs, thermostat, valve covers & a timing belt. ( the compressor is unplugged can’t afford one at the moment).
well, it was cold this morning and as I started the car I heard a chirp or a squeal from the front of the car. It stopped after I made it half way down the road. Faint smell of burning oil maybe. Any idea what this is?
If you have bypassed the A/C compressor pulley there's a good chance that the substitute belt is not quite the correct length and is squealing during high loads during the period it takes the alternator to recharge the battery. An alternator can use up to 8 horsepower during charging - that's a decent load on the belt.
I believe the 3.6 uses timing chain(s), not belt. Did you replace the chains or the accessory drive serpentine belt? If you replaced the chains the cost was over $1,000. A new belt costs about $30 or so.
Is it possible you spilled some oil or other chemical on the belt? That would explain the oil smell. I would just try it again tomorrow when the engine is cold.
WHat I thought also, Wait and see if it repeats.
Just a sound or smell comming from front of car sounds like ??? Sound to me like "Cause for some investigation"
Do you have a garage or any indoor space available? Or are you outdoors only when fiddling with your car? Makes a big difference, I know from experience, no one likes swapping the transmission on a sloped driveway in a torrential downpour LOL, but I did it anyway. I only ask this because if you can get it into a garage or barn or Morton building, you will be able to snoop around looking at it for traces of the sound or smell more comfortably. and it will be easier to get underneath if need be.
timing belt wont slip or squeal. It has "teeth", not grooves. So get rid of that thought.
Either the new standard belt is not the right size, or you have the AC, alternator, or tension-er bearings going out. That would cause squealing of the bad bearings until heated or the belt slipping because the bearings are binding up the belt.
The compressor is unplugged, I don’t use AC. The smell is gone and the chirps have stopped for the most part, now as of today sitting idle it did it but stopped when I started driving (mind you it’s 21 degrees). When I turned my heater on I felt like a “bump” under the hood as if something was hitting something. It would stop once I turned the heater off, this caused my radio to act odd as well. For this problem I was thinking battery?
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