Is water pump causing belt squeal?

2009 SCION XD
156,000 MILES • 1.8L • AUTOMATIC
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MATTFORD587
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A new belt I had installed started squealing on cold starts after a few days.
The belt squeal happens when starting the car after it sits for at least 1 hour.
This is the third time I've had the belt replaced over the 5 years I've had the car. Each belt replacement has been a different brand.
Close to 1 year after getting it, the issue of the belt squealing on cold starts began. It's been a regular issue. I had to have the water pump replaced 3 years ago. The belt issue has occurred with both pumps.
The first belt replacement was before the water pump was replaced. Then, the belt was replaced twice since the replacement water pump was installed. The longest amount of time the problem went away was close to 1 year.
I recently learned that there have been water pump issues with 2008/9 Toyotas and Scions with the 1.8l 2ZR-FE engine. The original pump design was faulty and I now know the replacement water pump I got was the same faulty design as the original pump it had. Is the pump the cause?
Has anyone else with a 2008/9 Toyota or Scion with the 1.8l 2ZR-FE engine had this problem?
Jul 21, 2026 at 10:49 PM
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MECHTRIX
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The water pump can do that but its unlikely if you already changed it heres a few other things that can make it squeal ...
1..its loose just a basic adjustment miht be all it needs (most likely)
2..frozen bearing in alternator or idler pully or ac
3..oil or coolant leaking onto the belt or wrong belt .
Id say just do another visual check and if you dont see anything re adjust the belt here's a quick tip adjust it with the AC on till it just stops squealing.then lock it down you should be good to go..good luck hope this helps
Jul 22, 2026 at 2:59 AM
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MATTFORD587
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The squeal only happens when the car is started after sitting for long periods of time and there are no leaks.
Jul 22, 2026 at 10:02 AM
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MECHTRIX
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It might help to just tighten it ever so slightly and it shouldn't do it again those serpentine belts depending on what factory made it tend to be slightly different rubber compounds and tend to squeal until they warm up amd the rubber softens up a bit ..hope this helps
Jul 22, 2026 at 6:15 PM
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MECHTRIX
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Also it might help to tighten it while it acually squealing and as you tighten it the squeal should go away
Jul 22, 2026 at 6:19 PM
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MATTFORD587
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The belt doesn't squeal at any other time, such as using heat/AC.
Jul 26, 2026 at 11:37 PM
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STRAILER
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So, this engine does not have a spring loaded belt tensioner. I would get a name brand belt like a Denso or AC Delco and then use the adjuster to provide the correct tension on the belt and the noise should go away, cheap belts are like rubber bands and don't ever stop making noise. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
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Jul 27, 2026 at 5:22 PM
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