I just bought my very first CRV last week. I cleaned the living hell out of the interior (previous owner was a smoker) and started to do all the changing and topping off of fluids and such. Well yesterday I went to take her out and when I started the car I was surprised to hear a LOUD squealing sound. I took my other car to the auto parts store and got a can of belt dressing in hopes that if one of the belts needed changing that I would be able to tell by spraying them and seeing if the sound stopped. I drenched them last night and they soaked up the spray instantly, But when I started the car the squealing was still there. So this morning, I resprayed them...still squealing. So I decided to see what happens when not in park. As soon as the car starts moving in reverse or D4 the squealing is almost completely gone? Anyone have any idea what this could be?

I bought this CRV in Chicago and it was family driven since 2001. It only has 123,000 miles but the exterior is rough because it was always stored outside. It has a nice big spot of rust at the fuel door and a crease in the passenger door. I bought the car because I'm expecting a baby in June and thought that it was a good reliable investment. I paid $3600 for it. Please tell me I didn't buy a turd!?!

 

alternator belt.

 

Yep.

 

My noise just turned out to be the idler pully. Easy test with a long screw driver and your ear. Thats if it isnt the belt. Belts def squeal more than bearings.

 

tighten the alternator belt. it literally takes 2 minutes

 

Could also be the power steering belt, then tend to squeal if the reservoir is low.

 

I had the same problem and it did turn out to be my idler pulley. I have read that the idler pulley and the AC tensioner pulley tend to go bad around 100,000 mile mark. Since as your truck is over 100,000 you should go ahead and change it and its not expensive. The pulley is around $60...