Hi all, i have a 2001 sl1 with the SOHC. First the belt was rattling, and I thought it was a tensioner issue. Idler pulley and tensioner, and belt replaced 3 years ago. Belt slapping noise went away, now belt squeals on start up when it’s cold, and sometimes when i turn the ac on. Would the belt have gone bad already? Or maybe the tensioner or idler pulley backed out and it’s loose? Don’t want to just buy the tensioner idler and belt if i don’t have to.

 

Try just a belt first, they really take a beating. Also see if you have oil on the belt, if so you need to repair what is causing the oil getting on the belt.