i have no clue about cars. im the typical female that brings it to a shop when it breaks down.. i own a 1996 chevy cavilier. the timing belt is going out and it is squeeling really really bad. i have owned the car about a year and a half and the belt has always made a noise. but it has gotten louder within the past month or so. someone told me that once the belt goes it can damage the motor and all sorts of things. how long does it take before the belt breaks when it is at this point? im trying to save the money to get it fixed and i would just like to know if its ok to drive to work.... please help..
2007-08-29 14:09:15 · 6 answers · asked by tish 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
two months ago i replaced a pully and a serpentine belt. i got an estimate for the timing chain. the mechanic said that definately needed to be done. so maybe the squeeling is something else now... grrrrr
2007-08-29 14:48:08 · update #1
I believe your talking about the serpentine belt not the timing belt, if it's making noise I would get it replaced and have the tensioner for it checked also, I really don't think on that engine if it breaks it will damage the engine.
2007-08-29 14:17:00 · answer #1 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hiya tish... Hope all is going well... I actually used to own a '96 cavey myself, that had just about everything go wrong with it. My serpentine belt did the same thing. No matter what anyone says you can drive it until it breaks. They are a cheap part and a cheap fix. When mine would start to squeal my dad would put WD- 40 or any type of grease on it and would be fine for months. Save your money, but don't get the part yet, it still has time. Hope that helps!
2007-08-29 21:44:35 · answer #2 · answered by **Sparkles** 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok . . .
First point . . . Timing belts don't squeal. V-belts and serpentine belts squeal. (aka fan belts).
These belts squeal because something isn't turning freely.
You could remove the belt and spin all the wheels that the belt turns. The only one that won't turn freely is the engine crankshaft. That's the one that turns all the others when the engine is running, and it's supposed to be stiff when the engine is off.
My bet is that the air conditioning compressor is the one that won't turn freely. If that's the one, your air conditioner clutch is bad, and your compressor is probably bad too.
Expect to pay hundreds, but not thousands.
.
2007-08-29 21:16:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I might just be a fan belt, not a timing belt.... timing belts usually don't squeal..... a fan belt is very cheap, under $20 and easy to replace...... find a friend or your dad to put it on.
2007-08-29 21:21:02 · answer #4 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it is the timing belt, you need to get it fixed. find a way, start asking for money from people.
2007-08-29 21:16:49 · answer #5 · answered by 27ysq 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it will be going out soon it be bad. the cost can be in exess of 1300 later on. GET IT DONE NOW
2007-08-29 21:18:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋