What Causes the Sizzling Sound After Starting the Car?
4 Answers
After starting the car, there is a sizzling sound. This is caused by the aging of the car's belt, and the solution is simply to replace it with a new one. The engine's exterior has multiple belts that connect to components such as the generator, water pump, air conditioning compressor, and power steering pump. Belts are made of rubber, so prolonged use can lead to aging and wear. They require regular replacement, and it is recommended to replace them during routine car maintenance. If a belt breaks while driving, the car may stall, and the engine could suffer damage. Some cars also use belts for the timing system, and these timing belts need to be replaced periodically. If a timing belt breaks while driving, it may cause the engine valves to collide, leading to severe engine damage and costly repairs. Regular maintenance is crucial for the car's engine, so it is advisable to adhere to scheduled maintenance. Car maintenance mainly consists of two parts: replacing wear-and-tear parts and changing fluids. Fluids in a car include engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, and differential oil. Wear-and-tear parts include belts, spark plugs, tires, brake pads, brake discs, batteries, and wipers.
The most common cause of a squealing noise after startup is an issue with the belt system, particularly the alternator belt or the air conditioning compressor belt. These sounds are usually caused by friction from a loose, worn, or hardened belt surface, similar to rubber squeaking on metal. Aging tensioner or idler pulley bearings can also produce similar noises, making the sound persistent. I recommend first checking the belt condition: if there are visible cracks or it feels hard to the touch, it should be replaced. Long-term neglect can lead to belt breakage, causing alternator charging failure or engine overheating, which can have serious consequences. It's best to address the issue early at a professional repair shop. For prevention, regularly checking belt tension during maintenance can reduce the risk.
A few days ago, my car started making a squealing noise, which was particularly noticeable after starting. After checking, it turned out the alternator belt was too loose. The belt tensioner might have failed, or the belt itself could have aged and become slippery, causing it to slip and produce a friction noise during rotation. You can perform a simple check yourself: Open the hood and try pressing the middle part of the belt with your hand. If it presses down easily without bouncing back, it means it's too loose. To fix it, tightening the tensioner bolt should suffice, but if you're not familiar with it, it's safer to let a mechanic handle it to avoid damaging any parts. Additionally, the air conditioning compressor belt might also make noise, especially when the AC is on, so each belt should be checked one by one.
The buzzing sound may originate from an electrical system fault, such as a short circuit or spark plug issues. When wires age and their insulation breaks down, poor contact can create small arcs that produce a buzzing noise, resembling the sound of electricity jumping. Alternatively, worn pulley bearings can cause friction sounds due to uneven rotation. In cases I've encountered, delaying repairs may worsen the noise into more severe abnormalities, potentially leading to short circuits or engine stalling. Quick solution: Observe whether the sound changes with RPM. If it stabilizes after startup, it's less urgent, but persistent noise warrants inspection.
