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Squealing Noise from Engine Bay on 2017 Accord

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Chris P. · rep 0 · May 22, 2:46 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2017 Honda Accord EX-L

Hi all, I've got a 2017 Honda Accord EX-L with about 85,000 miles. Lately, I've been hearing a loud squealing noise coming from the engine bay, especially when I first start the car in the morning or after it's been sitting for a while. It usually goes away after a few minutes of driving, but it's pretty annoying and makes me worried.

I'm guessing it's the serpentine belt, but I'm not entirely sure. Is this a common issue for Accords of this generation? What should I be looking for to confirm it's the belt, and is it something I can replace myself, or should I take it to a mechanic?

Any advice on diagnosing and fixing this would be greatly appreciated!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 2:46 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

A squealing noise from the engine bay, particularly on startup or in damp conditions, is a classic symptom of a worn or loose serpentine belt (also known as the drive belt or accessory belt). This is a common wear item and not unusual for a vehicle with 85,000 miles.

Causes of Serpentine Belt Squeal:

  1. Worn Belt: Over time, the rubber material of the belt hardens, cracks, or loses its grip, leading to slippage and noise.
  2. Loose Belt Tension: The automatic belt tensioner may be failing, not applying enough tension to the belt, causing it to slip.
  3. Contamination: Oil, coolant, or other fluids on the belt or pulleys can cause slippage and squealing.
  4. Failing Pulley/Accessory Bearing: A worn bearing in an accessory (like the alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, or idler pulley) can cause resistance, leading the belt to squeal as it tries to turn the seized or stiff component.

Steps to Diagnose:

  1. Visual Inspection: With the engine off and cool, inspect the serpentine belt for cracks, fraying, glazing (a shiny appearance), or missing ribs. Also, check for any fluid leaks around the pulleys.
  2. Belt Tensioner: Observe the belt tensioner while the engine is running (from a safe distance). It should maintain consistent tension. If it's bouncing excessively, it might be failing.
  3. Water Test (Briefly): While the engine is running and squealing, carefully spray a small amount of water onto the ribbed side of the belt. If the squeal temporarily stops, it confirms the belt is slipping. If it continues or gets worse, the issue might be a failing pulley bearing.

When to See a Shop:

  • If the squealing persists after inspecting the belt, or if you're unsure about replacing it yourself. Replacing the serpentine belt often requires specific tools to release the tensioner.
  • If the noise is accompanied by other symptoms like dimming lights (alternator issue), loss of power steering, or AC not working, indicating a potential failure of an accessory driven by the belt.
  • There are no direct OBD codes for a squealing belt, but a failing accessory could trigger codes related to its function (e.g., charging system codes for an alternator).
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