1994 Mercury Cougar noise at startup and acceleration

1994 MERCURY COUGAR
250,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SUSANBEE48
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when I start my car I have a squeel in the motor. When I accelerate the noise continues until I shift into another gear. I think it sounds like a powersteering pump going out,,but it does not make a noise when i turn the steering wheel; only at rest and pressing the gas. I am a female with little knowledge of vehicles.
Sep 10, 2008 at 9:47 AM
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TIFFANYJ87
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ive had similar noises in the past. its probably one of the pulleys that the serpentine belt spins. like a bearing in one of the pulleys.

2 ways ive determined which pulley is squealing is by either removing the belt then spinning each wheel freely. with engine off. u spin each pulley to hear any noise.

Or while engine is running, u can take a spray like silicone spray and just spray the inside of the pulleys where the bearing is. trying not to spray the belt or anything else. if u spray the bearing and the noise quiets. its a squeaky bearing and u replace the pulley.

Im sure it could be something else, but the most basic cause of a squeal noise is a idler pulley or tensioner pulley bearing thats gone squeaky. Unless u notice other symptoms that accompany the noise. Also, the noise will get worse in colder weather.

Anyway, just a suggestion because ive had that a few times and it was always a pulley gone bad.
good luck!
Sep 20, 2008 at 8:15 PM