I did my timing belt and water pump on my b18a1. I also put new accessory belts. The accessory belts seem to be adjusted correctly, but when I start the car after a while and it's cold, I get a short squeal.

Is it possible I've got the timing belt too tight? It doesn't seem likely that this kind of belt would squeal, but maybe at the tensioner. It's one of the blue Gates Racing belts.

Anybody ever heard a timing belt squeal?...even a little?

Thanks!

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Typically it's going to be one of the accessory belts that are squealing. But yes, the timing belt will do the same if it's too tight. For tension it's just a matter of rotating the engine three teeth with it all installed then tightening the tensioner.

-Amp

 

I don't know where you got three teeth from. It's 4-6 complete revolution of the engine, that pushes the slack where it should be and allows you to make sure your marks are on. Your referring to belt adjustment with it all together with a new belt the 4-6 revolution should be done.

 

3 teeth after doing a full revolution to check the timing marks are still accurate is for the D series 5th and 6th gen motors.

The timing belt itself cannot squeal. The tensioner however can. But that's a metal screech not a rubber squeal. If it's a rubber squeal then it has to be accessory belts. The timing belt can't slip to cause a squeal due to the teeth. It either jumps teeth and causes severe issues or it just runs with a whine. Not the same thing as a squeal of a slipping belt.

I'll have to pull out the manual for the B16 to see if doing the tensioner is different on the B series motors.

By the looks, the 3 teeth to set tension is for b-series as well as seen in step 6, the rotating full revolutions is to set the belt, not belt tension:

 

It's not metal, a belt squeal. I was thinking it could make a squeal at the tensioner. That would be the only place possible. If it's too tight.

I've gone thru the accessory belts twice now. They were new Napa belts. That's the only store 'round here. I had been getting a short squeal turning on the AC, that's why I decided I might as well get all new ones.

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You are correct. I was under the assumption that part was known since he was just asking about tension. Next time I'll make sure I'm more specific, thanks.

To the OP: If you have a little bit of brake cleaner you can try spraying some on the accessory belts while the engine is running. If it squeals at idle the one that gets quiet when you spray is the problem. I do this at the dealership as a quick check sometimes.

-Amp

 

No, it does not squeal at idle, only for a second or less....just as the engine starts.

I found mine very difficult to adjust the timing tensioner. The only way was to tighten the tension is from below. Even with the power steering pump out of the way. The '90 has less space than even the '91. The 1st year of that body and then Acura started changing things immediately. I used a drill bit in the intake cam, just to hold it there and pushed up with some force on the tensioner and only a tiny bit of rotational force from the harmonic balancer.. I know that's not the correct way, but none of my socket wrenches would fit so they could be used from above. There is only 1-1/2" from that bolt to the inside of the wheel well, and there's too many things in the way to use a wrench from above. You can barely do it from below, so you're actually pulling down on the tensioner when tightening.

If I can fit a tool in there, I'd do it the right way, but so far I don't have a tool that will go. I don't think even my quarter inch socket could be used from above, but I may try again to see.

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I did this once, put the tensioner too tight. A little loosen with a 14mm socket sorted things right out and got rid of the whine.

 

It turned out to be the AC belt. I didn't think so because the belt was brand new. It chirps at startup (for 1/2 to 1 second) when cold, but only once at the beginning of the day. I've tried tightening it, loosening it, putting it at spec. The old belt I took off does the same thing. So I bought a new Denso AC Compressor. I think the old one is a bit stiff....not turning as free as it should when not engaged. The new one is in the mail still.

The timing belt is at the right tension as far as I can tell. I pushed the tensioner up a bit because I couldn't get wrench on it from inside the hood, but only from underneath...which was pulling the tension loose instead of pulling it snug.

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I know that it is an entirely different car and engine, but on the Audi B5 S4 (twin turbo V6), there are plenty of posts of squeaking issues when the blue Gates racing belt is used for the timing belt. Some people even tried putting in a little talcum powder, and that got rid of the squeak, but just for a short time. Due to the squeaking issue, most people go with the OEM belt for the Audi. - Jim