Squeal After Washing Car

**A4Ultrasport** · 11-28-2009 03:22 PM

So today I took the car to an indoor self-wash for the first time of the winter season. Since the car was washed, it's been making a squeal noise whenever the engine is running in park. It's almost like a short squeal or squeak every 2 or 3 seconds, and seems to get more frequent as I increase rpms in Park. I can't hear it inside the car at all, only outside and everything else is normal.

Could this be a belt that is wet and needs to dry? Anyone else ever had this happen? I didn't wash the engine but the sprayer at the wash is fairly strong. The car is at 52k miles, so it shouldn't be a timing belt problem yet. Does the TB ever squeal as it wears? Any thoughts on what it could be? So far it hasn't gone away and its been about 6 hrs since washed and has been driven quite a bit today.

**Synthetik** · 11-28-2009 03:24 PM

Maybe a mouse?

Hahaha. Jk, interesting that it hasn't disappeared.

**B6JoeS4** · 11-28-2009 04:00 PM

did it sound like this:

if so, you serpentine belt tensioner needs to be replaced. i replaced the belt along with it and the problem is gone. this is a 3.0 but i would imagine it would sound the same on a 3.0. mine went out at around 64k

**OneBadAudi** · 11-28-2009 04:04 PM

might of gotten the belts wet but they should stop..

**Dan1969** · 11-28-2009 11:09 PM

Spray your accessory belt with some belt dressing and check again, if the noise stops is probably time for a new belt.

**A4Ultrasport** · 11-29-2009 02:30 PM

No it doesn't really sound like that, much more of a squeaky almost yelp-like sound. It's really only a short burst every couple of seconds. Seemed quieter today when I started the car but actually got louder after I was done with a few trips around town. It's pretty damp out today, so I will give it a bit more time to dry out, but should probably try some dressing on the accessory belt next.

**B6JoeS4** · 11-29-2009 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by A4Ultrasport

No it doesn't really sound like that, much more of a squeaky almost yelp-like sound. It's really only a short burst every couple of seconds. Seemed quieter today when I started the car but actually got louder after I was done with a few trips around town. It's pretty damp out today, so I will give it a bit more time to dry out, but should probably try some dressing on the accessory belt next.

I'm 99% sure its your tensioner. mine started to just let out a small squeal every few seconds and then over time it got worse and worse. the video that i posted is just before i replaced it

**B6JoeS4** · 11-29-2009 04:30 PM

assuming you have a 1.8t, this is the kit you need. you don't necessarily need to replace the belt along with the tensioner but its good practice. and since they are having an overstock sale, its only 15 bucks or so more to get the belt along with it.

http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GJ11013

**Dan1969** · 11-29-2009 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by B6JoeA4

assuming you have a 1.8t, this is the kit you need. you don't necessarily need to replace the belt along with the tensioner but its good practice. and since they are having an overstock sale, its only 15 bucks or so more to get the belt along with it.

http://www.blauparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GJ11013

Agreed, check your pulley or spray it with something to confirm.