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cgalyon · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 249 Location: Knoxville, TN

On my way home tonight one of my belts squealed. I immediately stopped the car, popped it out of gear and pushed it off the road and out of the way. Now I'm anxious about the condition of the engine and will be taking it in to my mechanic ASAP (meaning Monday morning). Tomorrow I'll have it towed over there though. Any considerations regarding towing? Or any words of reassurance regarding the engine?

I checked under the hood after stopping it, but with the light available on a country road at 2am and a miniature flashlight all I could confirm is nothing looked or smelled out of the ordinary. One other symptom that occurred around the same time: the power windows were moving exceptionally slowly and sounded like they weren't receiving enough power.
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1988 924S Navy Blue - Phone Dials

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Might not be the timing or balance shaft belts...

Did you drive through a puddle?

Were you using the AC at the time?

Why don't you remove the accessory belts to see if you have a siezed alternator, or ac compressor, or power steering pump before you hire a tow truck and go expense of towing your car to the shop? Could be that you just had an accessory drive belt slipping, and the critical belts are fine.

cgalyon · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 249 Location: Knoxville, TN

It was very humid and I had been experimenting with the AC to see if it worked that day, so I figured there was a pretty good chance something was slipping due to moisture. I'll try checking the alternator (the windows made me suspect it might be having a problem anyway), AC comp and PS pump as you suggested. Thanks for the advice!
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1988 924S Navy Blue - Phone Dials

cgalyon · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 249 Location: Knoxville, TN

Another thing to note, the squealing only occurred when gas was applied. When the engine was out of gear or idle it was "quiet" (other than its typical noises). I'm wondering if that might also be symptomatic of a particular component. I'm about to head back out today to pick it up and knowing if it is safe to drive it or not will help me get it back to my place.
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1988 924S Navy Blue - Phone Dials

John_AZ · Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:54 am Post subject:

JayZzzz4 · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Milwaukee, WI USA

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the timing belt and balance belts serpentine belts? So therefore they wouldn't make a squealing sound if they did slip and your engine would be died if they did. So it must be the alternator, ac compressor, or power steering pump. Just my two cents...
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White 1987 Porsche 924S manual

cgalyon · Joined: 05 May 2008 Posts: 249 Location: Knoxville, TN

It's certainly reassuring to here evidence as to why it wouldn't be the critical "engine-killing" belts.

The next day, after the sun baked the moisture out of everything around here, I went back and tested it again. It didn't squeal at all, which is good, but I still need to make time to get it in to the shop for a proper check-up. Will have the AC Compressor checked out at the same time.
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1988 924S Navy Blue - Phone Dials

Paul · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 4:08 am Post subject:

The timing and balance shaft belts have teeth. Squeeling noises should be a strong hint to immediately shutdown the motor until the cause is known.

Squeeling can be caused by failing pullies, tensioners, or a stalled water pump.
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White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

JayZzzz4 · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Milwaukee, WI USA

Ahhhh, Good point Paul! I didn't think about pulleys making sounds.
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White 1987 Porsche 924S manual