I drove through a puddle and now my car screeches when accelerating. Why?

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

1999 Camry …

There was some heavy rain in my area yesterday. I drove a bit fast through a puddle I didn’t see beforehand. Some of the water may have splashed up into the bay.

I hear a screeching sound when accelerating now. If I cruise at 20, 30, 40, or 50 mph, I don’t hear anything. I only hear the sound when I try to increase my speed. The sound seems loudest when I increase my speed slowly.

I checked the air filter, and didn’t notice any dampness or dirt on it. It looked brand new and untouched.

Any ideas what could be causing this sound?

Thanks

2

How old is the drive belt?

Tester

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3

I’m not sure. The car has 120k miles on it and I don’t have much information on the car’s history.

4

I would try replacing the drive belt.

Drive belts today are made of EPDM and don’t show wear like the old neoprene drive belts did.

Tester

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5

Is there any chance that the sound will go away on its own after the water dries?

6

Maybe, maybe not.

And even if it does, what’s to say the noise isn’t going to return once the belt gets wet again?

Tester

2 Likes
7

I hear you. Thanks for the info.

I think this is was a rare scenario though. I usually don’t drive through big puddles like I did yesterday.

8

My '96 would screech after a puddle, but only for a short distance. If yours has the original belt I’d replace it, and while it’s off check if the idler pulley(s) turn smoothly.

4 Likes
9

I concur w/above idea, likely some sort of accessory drive belt problem. I think it’s a good to periodically replace the belt, tensioner, and idler pulley proactively, as part of routine maintenance. Since you don’t know when they were last replaced … now seems like a good time. That would be a good time to ask you shop to hand spin the other stuff along the belt path , checking for any play or unusual noises.

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10

The water should dry in only a few minutes. The noise is usually caused by the dirt in the water collecting in the belt groves. The noise may go away in a week or two, might be time for a new belt anyway.

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11

I want to use this car for Uber Eats driving. I might be putting a lot of miles on this car this week.

Do you think I’m putting the car at risk in anyway if I just try to wait for the sound to go away by itself? I really rather not spend the money to get a new belt now

12

Are you guys still there?

13

If the sound has not gone away by now you may have a bad bearing in one of the pulleys. My own experience with squealing wet belt, they dry and return to normal function in a few minutes.
The sooner you get it fixed the better.
As to your question are you putting your car at risk. In my opinion, no, as long as you immediately stop the car and shut off the engine when the belt fails and call for a tow. What if this happens when your car is full of deliveries?

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14

One experiment might be helpful in your case. Ask your shop to remove the belt completely. Most no-belt engine configurations, it is possible to start and idle the engine at least briefly. Confirm w/shop. If the sound remains, pretty good chance the belt and everything on the belt path is ok.

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