# Engine squeels when accelerating only when first starting car

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** astra, saturn\
**Created:** [July 19, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909 "2016-07-19T17:13:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![steve12345](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f475e1/32.png) [@steve12345](https://community.cartalk.com/u/steve12345)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 5:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909/1 "2016-07-19T17:13:51Z")

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Hi there,

I have a 2008 Saturn Astra and there is a high pitched squeeling sound when i accelerate from a stop. It has been happening since last year but seems to have gotten worse. It only happens in the summer time. It squeels only when accelerating at low speeds. if I accelerate quickly the sound goes away. but will come back if i come to a stop and accelerate normally again. It doesnt start from 0 RPMs but only at low rpm. It only happens when I first turn on the car and accelerate. If i have been driving for a few minutes and then accelerate from a stop it doesn’t make any unusual sound. It happens in reverse as well as drive.  
Any ideas or advice would be appreciated!  
Thanks.

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**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909/2 "2016-07-19T17:28:54Z")

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Chances are very high that you need a new serpentine belt.

Have all the other pulleys checked for being worn out when replacing the belt.

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**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\
**Post date:** [July 19, 2016, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909/3 "2016-07-19T19:01:46Z")

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Agree with above, it is most likely the belt, now when changing it someone has to check the tensioner. I am not familiar with the set up on this car but they are all very similar and usually an easy DIY if you wish to go that route.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 12:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909/4 "2016-07-23T00:48:09Z")

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Eddo, Galant, you both read my thoughts. I’d bet lunch that this priceless 2008’s tensioner is due for replacement along with the belt.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2016, 12:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-squeels-when-accelerating-only-when-first-starting-car/93909/5 "2016-07-23T12:58:32Z")

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I agree with the others. Replace the serpentine belt and tensioner. I would replace the idler pulley as well.
