i have a question about auto maintenance/repair?

i have a question about auto maintenance/repair?
i purchased a 2004 nissan sentra 1.8 in jan 2005....i had the belt(s) replaced in dec of 2005 (less than a year ago)...the car only had 12000 miles on it when i bought it (demo i found out)....now i have 37000 miles on it....is there only one belt and its a serpentine?....the belt squeals only when idle or when i am not accelerating...if i accelerate then the sqeal disappears...does it need to be tightened?...it shouldnt need to be replaced should it?...i thought these belts were good for at least 75000 miles!....can someone troubleshoot for me so i can determine whether or not to replace myself or take to dealership...my owners manual suggests the latter and it aint cheap....last year it was like $320.00! the belts are not old and as i said they were replaced less than one year ago...they should get more wear shouldnt they


Answers:

Chosen Answer
iii_scanjet_iii:  Most likely it sounds like the tensioner. The tensioner is a pully with a spring in it. Modern automotive systems don't use a manual tensioner like in the old days. You know when you put the belt on you would spin a bolt until the belt tighted up on the pully. As the belt wore out it streched and you tighted the bolt more. The spring in modern automotives is attached to a pully "automatic tensioning system" The spring delivers the right amount of tension so that the belt dosen't overwear. Personally I don't ever take my car to the mechanic. I have two cars both of them over 10 years old. I changed transmissions, engines, timing belts/chains, oil you name it. Except tires and body. But a tensioner would be very cheap you won't believe it. When you go to the dealer it will cost much yep....
2006-11-07 12:09:57
edselmanll:  look at the underside of the belt for cracks, replace if nessary, have a mechanic check the tension and tighten if nessary, this will help the life of the belt :(
2006-11-07 12:11:14
Dustin:  It sounds like the belt just needs to be tightened. I would take it to a small repair shop if you don't want to do it yourself. Usually smaller repair shops are much cheaper then dealerships.
2006-11-07 12:11:38
andylk30540@yahoo.com:  I would try to tighten it before replacing these belt,s usually last longer than they say.
2006-11-07 12:14:05
John K:  IF YOUR CAR HAS AIR CONDITIONING IT WILL HAVE TWO SERPENTINE BELTS THAT CAN BE REPLACED QUITE SIMPLY THE COST AT MOST PARTS STORES SHOULD RUN ABOUT $30. FOR THE PAIR YOU CAN CHECK FOR SIGNS OF WEAR SUCH AS CRACKING JUST BY LOOKING AT THEM TAKE IT SOMEWHERE AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE CONDITION OF THE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY(S) I WOULD THINK THAT $320 IS STEEP WAY STEEP USUALLY REPLACING A SERPENTINE BELT IS DONE IN A MATTER OF MINUTES CHECK AROUND FIRST
2006-11-07 12:21:13
stealth5033:  tighten up belt has manual adjuster. If doesn't go away replace belt
2006-11-07 12:52:21
Doc. justasinner111:  Armor all and hot waxes at car washes can make belts squeal and plugs misfire. Try belt grip spray.
2006-11-07 12:56:14