why would a car screech?

[joko]

its like a high pitched screeching noise, but not constantly

any ideas?

[Davethedog]

Your fan belt needs to be checked

[snags]

Lose/worn fan belt...

[R1Geezer]

Yes, as dave says usually a slipping fan belt, needs tightening a tad.

[snags]

^ loose...

[redman41]

If it's not Fanbelt loose then it could be the bearings in the Water Pump need replacing or change water pump.

[Nosha123]

a scared passenger maybe???
;-)

[joko]

cheers all
is it an urgent job? dangerous?
or something he can sort him self? (with a haynes)
can he drive the car to the garage?...i had first suspected the tyres ...

[R1Geezer]

fairly simple job, easy with/without haines, not dangerous but may effect the battery charging and apart from that it's annoying.

[Davethedog]

If you know what your doing it involves loosenin three bolts and buying a not to expensive replacement. Probably take you ten minutes unless one of the bolts at the back of the alternator are hard to reach,

Go to Halfords they will probably do it for a few quid. Its really simple.

[chas2008]

most things have been covered apart from the power steering pump,certain models especially Citroens are prone to this.
Out of interest what vehicle is it ? most modern vehicles dont actually have fan belts as such they are auxiliary belts / aircon / power steering belts and many of these are self adjusting, if it is the belt squealing it will need replacing to cure it 100%, sometimes holding a bit of emery paper or chalk against it while its running can work temporarliy.
Again depending on the vehicle some of these belts are a pig to get and far easier to get at when its on a ramp you may gind its easier leaving to a garage .

[chas2008]

Typo error-been a long day, should of read;

Again depending on the vehicle some of these belts are a pig to replace and far easier to get at when its on a ramp you may find its easier leaving it to a garage.

[joko]

its a vw passat estate, 2001...almost the same as mine...thats why hes asked me thought id know (haha as if!) and also for the manual

thanks all,

[caila25]

it could be your fan belt x

[sara3]

can I offer a woman's advice?

it's the fan belt. get someone else to sort it ;o)

[cherrychapstick]

sara your not suggesting taking it to a garage for a man to fix are you?
lol

[tamborine]

had same with a citroen - its was the gear box.

[sara3]

I dunno cherry.. I had a fan belt changed by a man many years ago.

but it was the wrong size and dropped off the next day. I was stranded on the hard shoulder of the motorway for a couple of hours :o/