1999 Chevy Astro Screeching Sounds while Idling

1999 CHEVROLET ASTRO

140,000 MILES • 6 CYL • AWD • AUTOMATIC

DORANMICHIGAN

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I have screeching sounds while the engine is idling. It is not the belts or pulleys. It sounds like metal to metal or 6 cats caught in the belt.

What can make that sound? Starter, Water pump, my wallet paying for this? There is no smoke, just screeching. No weird smells either. No leaks.

It may last for 5 minutes then go away, or I turn off the van and start it back up and there is no screeching. There is screeching sometimes while driving the van, then it goes away.

I suspect the water pump with the mileage I have. I have seen small drops of antifreeze on the ground. I don't see any increase in temp. on the gauge. The problem is noise is not coming from the water pump though. It sounds like it is under the engine. Could it be the starter?

I will be taking it into the shop for a look see.

Dec 9, 2008 at 6:02 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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110,175 POSTS

Without being there, it's hard to tell. But I did enjoy the description. If you are sure it's not the belt, it could be the pump, ac compressor (if it's on during this time), alt... If you can get the car to make the sound, remove the serp belt and see if it goes away. NOTE: Don't run the engine for more than 10 seconds because there will be no coolant circulating.

Also, check the seep hole on the water pump to see if that is where the coolant is coming from. If it is, replace the pump because the bearing is out of the pump.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

Dec 16, 2008 at 5:21 PM

DORANMICHIGAN

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That screeching noise was the starter. What I also found out that it could have been avoided.

When I start the van, it would lurch forward. Kind of like someone on the bumper pushing the van. I guess there is some solenoid or something attached to the starter that could have fixed my problem.

Replaced the starter and now no screeching.

Dec 17, 2008 at 4:43 AM