Toyata echo pulley noises

Squeeky noise? This seems to be a common problem/complaint for this car. I had the dealer look at this on mine a while back, he said he "adjusted the drive belt" and the noise went away for about a week. Spraying lubricant around the pulleys makes the noise go away for a couple days (not recommended). Changing the drive belt, and water pump, did NOT make the noise go away. The most common solution is simply to tighten the belt! It is quite common that a mechanic (even the dealer mechanic) may not tighten the belt enough, or that the belt loosens slightly after it is installed and or tightened. Tightening this belt is very easy, you will need a 12mm socket wrench and a 14mm open end wrench. Loosen (do not remove) the two bolts above the alternator that are attached to the metal bracket that allow the alternator to slide (the alternator is attached to the topmost pulley that the drive belt touches, it is at the top front passenger side of the engine compartment). There is a 3rd bolt below the alternator, slightly difficult to see, loosen it using the 14mm wrench, it is often difficult to turn, I recommend penetrating oil and a breaker bar, you only need to turn it a little bit to allow the alternator to pivot. Once all three bolts are loose, you can easily rock the alternator back and forth (same procedure is used to replace the drive belt). To reinstall or tighten the belt you need to pull the alternator toward the front of the car as far as possible. The best way to do this is by putting a pry bar on top of and slightly behind the alternator and pushing up toward the windshield while using the engine as a pivot

• this gives you plenty of leverage and allows you to pull the

alternator forward. While you are prying, you can tighten the bolt that holds the alternator to the bracket using your left hand as you brace the pry bar with your right hand, to hold it all in place. It is possible that the Power Steering belt (bottom of engine compartment) needs replaced or adjusted as well. I haven't changed my power steering belt yet because from what I've read its a difficult job and I don't feel like paying someone to do it since its not critical to function or safety. The main drive belt is easy to change. Another possible source of noise could be a worn bearing connected to any of the pulleys touching the belt (air conditioner compressor, water pump, alternator). If replacing or tightening the belts doesn't do the trick, try to isolate the noise by using a mechanics stethoscope or funnel.