I have a 2003 Honda Civic coupe (EX) that makes a loud squeal. It starts when I just get going in the car, maybe two or three minutes into the drive. The squeal seems to come from the engine, and lasts for 15 to 30 seconds, before abruptly stopping. I seem to think its a belt, but not sure why its doing it or how to stop it.
Not sure if its something I can ignore or not. Thanks for any advice.
Key Words: Loud, Squeal, Engine
These words used together in a sentence indicate that somethingās not right.
Can you ignore it ? You donāt know yet. You must find what it is ASAP and then decide whether you can ignore it.
Ever replace this vehicleās accessory drive belts ? If not, that would be a start in the right direction. While that is taking place have the noise located and diagnosed. It could be belts, idler/tensioner pulleys, A/C pulley, one of the āaccessories,ā etcetera.
Chances are that it wonāt cure itself and could get worse and cause additional damage/problems and even leave you stranded.
This could be good that you are receiving a warning that something needs attention before things get more difficult and more expensive. Check it out.
CSA
Great point. I will investigate first by checking out the belts and going from there. I think I may have some time on Sunday to look at it. It is not our primary vehicle, so I can park it for the mean time.
I Took A Look At An 03 Civic Belt Diagram.
Chances are that you are correct that a loose belt is causing the symptoms you are experiencing as the belts apparently (lots of different engine options, though) are not self-tensioning and require periodic adjustment.
One belt runs the Alternator and A/C, the other runs the power steering.
If you donāt know or canāt recall having new belts then itās time. Should you varify that the symptoms (classic) are caused by the belt(s) then there has been slippage and all the more reason to renew. Old belts arenāt as grippy as new ones, can slip, crack and break, and leave you stranded.
Carefully look it over and/or get instructions and be sure itās something you are equipped to handle before proceeding.
CSA
Ok. Thanks for looking into this situation. Itās a relatively new vehicle to us as we have only owned it since early summer. I have never changed a belt before but I am not opposed to trying new things.
Changing belts is a great first time DIY project. But Iād recommend that you get a manual from the parts store, be sure you have the appropriate tools, and do the job right. Todayās serpentine belts and transverse engine configurations present special challanges. And keep a friend handy.
For example, to do my car properly requires that I jack the corner up and remove the wheel and inner fender apron, giving me access to the front of the engine. I them need to slowly and carefully compress the tensioner with a breaker bar and 6-point socket. Once the old belt is off, I need to keep the tensioer compressed rto thread the new belt on (thus the friend). Iāve tried doing it by myself, but canāt keep the tensioner compressed and thread the belt at the same time.
And I need a torque wrench for the lug nuts. I like torque wrenches for critcal bolts, and consider the lug nuts to be critical.
So, plan the work and work the plan. And youāll do fine.
Hii, I know Iām late to the thread but Iām having virtually the same issue and was wondering if you found something that worked for it. I bought a ā03 civic coupe about a year ago and recently itās making the same noise when it warms up and sometimes when I go to resume driving but only with the ac or heat on. Any suggestions?
You bought a 23 yr old car.
Are you 18? Or 43? Or 69?
Ever use an auto repair shop?
Search online for 2003 Honda threads?
Find 13 yr old thread? Old threads never die.
Welcome to Car Talkā¦
Does it make the noise at start up every morning??
Are you able to work on the car yourself??
If so and you have some tools then one thing you can do is to remove the Serpentine belt and start the vehicle up to see if the noise is gone, if the noise is still there then it is not the belt or belt related, if the noise is gone then it is something belt relatedā¦ If it is belt related, then check all your pulleys and anything the belt runs, remember the crank pulley drives the belt, then the belt drives everything elseā¦
If it is the serp belt, then replace it with a quality belt, like a Continental branded belt, a cheap(er) belt can make noiseā¦
There are lots of reasons a vehicle can make noise, belt(s) and belt driven pulleys and pumps are just the most common according to the limited info we have been givenā¦
Not sure why that matters, 70+ year olds are still doing suspension work on Tacomaās, I have a couple of 75 yo friends that are still building hot rods etc etc etcā¦
Possible that is how the OP found this treadā¦
An 18 yr old has little āhands onā auto knowledge. Based on reports of students lack of effort to actually try to fix things. Vs read about efforts online.
A 40+ adult has had sufficient time to possibly had several jobs in varying fields that might require effort. My bro has phd in computer science and has never once changed his own oil.
Some adults with money possibly could fix their car but may prefer to pay a shop to fix it.
Age does matter in discussions.
Did OP in 2012 resolve issue?
Looks like necro-poster. Jeez. What a sad term.
Not sure where these reports come from but the modern world has much more things that just are not Do It Yourself repairable. Engine compartments are space limited and sometimes require expensive tools. Even serpentine belts can be a real chore for someone to do in their own drivway. With a heavy class load and possible part time job time is limited.
My daughter by age 18 had probably done more to car(s) than a lot of people ever will, my son even more, he hung out in the shop starting around 6yoā¦ My 61yo brother knows very little about vehicles, has changed oil, some filters and pad slapped one vehicle a few times, but never changed a belt or anything like that.. So age has very little to do with working on vehicles, it is how much experience or how much you have been around them, my daughters fiancĆ© knows nothing about cars and he is 30 (ish)ā¦ You have either worked on or been around vehicles or you havenātā¦
True, once you start working on vehicles, then as you age hopefully you get more experience, but like I said, known plenty of teens that had hands on, and also known plenty of 50 yo that had no experience working on vehiclesā¦
BTW the ONLY reason my daughter has not done more to vehicles is due to twin 11" rods in her back and the chronic back pain she has had for years nowā¦
The only thing I would add is if you are going to change the belt then I would change the belt tensioner and idler pully also.