While running the Jag on idle for ten minutes or so, ( I have not driven the Jag since Friday because of weather ) Figured I would let it run so the battery can charge a bit and everything can move. Within five minutes I heard a loud squeal from somewhere; I opened my door slightly to hear it better and it did sound louder than inside the cabin. Once I slammed the door the squeak stopped. Perhaps a belt needs to be aligned?

I'll check everything tomorrow once it stops raining so I can get a better look.

 

My AC clutch just started squealing. It took a few minutes to figure out since the AC compressor can cycle off and on.

 

Belt and/or tensioner been replaced?

 

I started noticing a squeal at cold start up that would disappear after a while. That evolved to an outright scream at start up that turned to squeal driving. Pulled serpentine belt this weekend and the flat side was slick and like laminate. A new belt and it's quieter than a sleeping child now. Take a spray bottle with some water and with the car running hit the belt with a couple bursts of spray. If it's the belt, the squealing may cease momentarily until the water burns off. If it's a bearing in a pulley or tensioner you'll most likely still hear the squeal.

 

I have that problem from time to time. Next time it happens, open the door and stick your head in the foot well. See if it is louder.

I initially thought it was the AC compressor pulley beginning to seize, turns out to be a worn/dirty blower motor, changing the fan speed, bumps, even turning the wheel seem to affect it. Sometimes make it go away altogether. It only happens when it is cold outside for some reason.

 

Will check the belt today; I just had the serpentine belt replaced four months ago. Thanks everyone.

 

Pilotman11,

Please report back when you track down the cause so we can add your experience to our collective knowledge.

Cheers,

Don

 

Heard the squeak on cold startup; did not get louder with the A/C nor did it get louder in the footwell. I heard it come from the left hand side of the engine ( passenger side ) after a minute it went away.

Could it be the alternator with parasitic drain which could cause drag on the pulley because the security system overnight, ect?

My other guess is one of the belts might be getting oil on them. I noticed a little bit on the plastic cover ( see picture ) not sure if that means there's other leaks, ect.

 

And was the tensioner replaced?
Not for bearing being noisy but the pivot wears causing the pulley to be out of alignment. The slightest bit and the belt doesn't center in the grooves causing side loading which equals belt squeal.
As bluerdg said, give it a squirt of water. If it stops, you found the culprit.

 

Sprayed water on the belt and the squeak went away! So it's the belt then. Since I just had it replaced recently it should be under warranty. Thanks for the help everyone and happy holidays!

 

Being that belt was only 4 months old I'd say the tensioner is really the cause.
Take the belt off and turn it around. Squeal will go away, for a week or two then start again.
Then change the tensioner for a more permanent solution.

 

Might be; the squeak did go away but when it came back it got louder.