2015 3 Sport; 2.0 L Skyactiv; 250K kms = 156K miles

As colder weather arrives, my 3 Sport has developed a squeal / whine when I start a cold engine. Squeal disappears after a few minutes and does not occur if engine is warm.

Oil is fresh and full. Tran fluid fresh one year ago. Short tran dipstick buried under air box, haven't bothered to dismantle all that yet.

I'm thinking a squealing belt? Serpentine or water pump belt? I did replace the water pump and both belts back in the summer at 247K km = 154K miles so, they're new. Wondering if the belt tensioner needs adjusting and it's only noticeable now temperatures are dropping. [-2C 29F at night]

Thoughts?

 

Get the garden hose ready and start it up and then a light spray on the belt will soon tell you if it's that.

 

Make a short start up video. While I can guarantee they do well for internet forum diagnosis you have nothing to lose to try?

I mean technically speaking by the sound description word used , "squeal", the only thing on a skyactiv engine that could make that noise if v-belt.
If the serpentine belt was slipping it would generally not only make a distinctive noise, but you would more than likely also generate the check engine light.

 

What code would be generated with a slippig serp belt?

 

Several ….

But a common one P0562 leading many DIY to change out the wrong part.

 

Might also be a slipping OWC in the alternator pulley. Yea a short video will be a definate.