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02 xterra loud squeal when start + wet outside

3.3K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  joeraninthepark  
#1 ·
My mechanic is a d*ck. I brought a 02 xterra with supercharger last spring (16') and it does this loud squeal when starting. The sound goes away after about 10 seconds and doesnt return until start up again or at a red light when its rainy or snowing out. Ac went out this summer, i took it to him and he said it needed a new ac compressor. $500 later same noise no ac. Replaced the radiator, ac is good but still squealing.

The guy who sold me the truck listed a bunch of repairs:
Supercharger rebuilt with aluminum pulley, bearings, seals, fluid
New doorman exhaust manifolds
New belts and hoses
New sway bar bushings
All fluids changed including transmission

Other repairs non-related (brakes, etc.). The mechanic said the tensioner pulley needs to be replaced but the part is on back order with nissan. What im looking for is the specific part he is referring to or if maybe it is something completely different. There seems to be about 4 or 5 pulleys.

Also the truck is babied so no rough driving (female driver). I usually use midgrade gas and semisynthetic oil but im pressed for cash now (student) so i been using regular and just got a conventional oil change, temporarily. Any help plz fellas???
 
#2 ·
I'd check the belts. Could be improper tension allowing one to slip, or just a cheap quality belt that slips until the rubber heats up, causing the squeal. Best thing would be to have a helper start the cold engine while you watch the belts. Good luck!
 
#3 ·
Yes check your belts, power steering fluid also and check to make sure no hoses coming out of it are leaking and sealed properly. Not putting the right gas in, if you don't compensate with you own additives, will cost more in the long run.
 
#4 ·
You can find out which pulley it is, belts will have a little movement but overall be tight, next time you start your xterra have the hood up and look/listen for the squeal. A good belt will have shallow grooves a bad belt will have deep grooves.
 
#5 ·
im gonna agree with everyone here. also, join xterra crew on facebook so u can post a video of it and maybe we can help you further. But i do believe it has something to do with the belts as well, ive had this problem (squeal at startup for 10 seconds ish and espsecially during rainy/snowy days it lasted very very long) bought the $333 timing belt kit from courtesyautoparts.com and replaced all the belts now no noise. check the tensioner belt make sure its OEM (all belts) and the pulley.