Hi,

At times I get a high pitched and very loud squeal from the engine bay - only at start-up when warm and lower rpm. It goes away instantly with higher rpm and driving, and rarely if ever at start-up from cold. I'm thinking it's a pulley up front but I'm not sure where it's coming from. It's not a fan belt squeak. Any thoughts?

This was my thread to begin with.

At least for me, it wasn't the belt.

I had my PV in a specialty shop for an unrelated matter - one of the oldtimer techs apprenticed on PVs/122s. They heard it too but didn't know what it was - their best guess was the it was coming from the carbs which were turned too lean - I don't know if that was it, but now that it's running a bit richer the sound I complained about is less commonly encountered.

That's pretty weird. There can be odd noises and whistles from the exhaust manifold to pipe joint if the gasket is leaking a bit. That can be dependant on temperature.

SG;

This old thread has been brought back to the top...squealing Fanbelt only after Start is a fairly normal indication of a slightly loose Fanbelt, as Derek has already pointed out...immediately after Start, and when Charging Sys comes on-line, Load on the Chg Sys is highest due to energy having been taken out of Battery for Starting...after a few seconds of putting this energy back into Bat, current load falls down to normal levels which friction level on belt and pulleys is able to support without slipping/squealing.

All things being normal (no excessive rotational resistance from WaPu or Gen, which would be constat and not only just after Starting) I suggest breaking the glaze on Fanbelt and Pulleys with some sanpaper (which might alone clear up the issue) but also snugging up Fanbelt just a bit tighter.

Cheers

Consider getting a Gates industrial belt.

the entire belt is covered with cloth.

I used to change my snow blower belts whenever the snow was wet and heavy. I got Gates industrial belts and I have forgotten when I changed them last!

Have you seen your cat lately??

As an engineering exercise, I built a cat-a-pult and launched the critter in the neighbour's yard years ago. I warned my wife that yes we can have a kitten, but when she grows up and becomes a cat, well, it's siege weapon time.

Spray some belt dressing onto the belt. If it quites, get a new belt. Glaze is forever.

Hmm, maybe I can build a wife-a-pult.

Sorry - its a B18, but I'm not sure if that matters in this case.

Loose fan belt. The belt and or the pulleys can get glazed if it does this for long, reducing the grip even more. Avoid the cogged type of belt.

Hi Derek,

Thanks - I think I do have a cogged type belt now they you mention it - are they supposed to be smooth? I'm still learning.

In addition to a worn out fan belt, could be the alternator/generator or the water pump seizing up.