Installed new Bando drive belts the other day in my 02 Accord 4-cyl. When starting the car in the morning or after several hours, there's a slight squeal for 2 seconds from the alternator belt. The squeal is so brief it is easily drowned out by the starter if not looking for it.

There are no noises the rest of the day, even when there's load on engine with the A/C or headlights on. Belt has about 1/4'' deflection when pressing down with 2 fingers so it seems tight. I already checked all the pullies earlier and they have no play. Does the belt just need to be tightened a little more? I can live with the noise if it means not over-tightening and damaging the alternator bearing.

 

if it squeals its too loose

 

if its new and cold and not tight enough it will make some noise at first. Just tighten it up a bit.

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. I put about 500 miles on the belts thinking the noise was just from them getting broken in. The squealing persisted so I tightened them up a smidgen. Nice and quiet now, even on wet humid mornings!