Just got an 89 brougham from a guy I work with. It runs great and the interior and exterior look decent for an older car. However when I start it the engine squeals for a minute or so and then stops until the next time I start it. Im fairly certain it's the belt but figured I would post this up and see if anyone had the same problem and/or could tell me the right way to put a new belt in. All help is appreciated.

 

have some one start it for you, like the guy you bought it from, while you stand with hood open. what do you hear? and from where? i would check all belts that it may have for cracking, etc. no biggy to change a belt, you'll like it..... good luck
rickyd

 

You were right at least two of the belts are cracked. Today I'll hopefully get to finding replacements and changing them out. Thanks for the help.

-krich

 

not to jack the thread, but I have an 88 brougham with the 350 olds. engine I went to replace the belts and couldnt for the life of me get the power steering belt off so I ended up taking the pump off, now I have it all back together except for the large bolt that goes into the block at the rear of the power steering pump bracket. It seems like the engine dropped down after I took the bolt out, I tried jacking the engine back up with a porta-power but I cant get the bolt threaded in. I also have a thick washer that fell off from somewhere and Im thinking that it has something to do with the alternator belt rubbing on the power steering pulley, I think the washer goes on the bolt but dont know where. My other 3 cars are 2 nissan 200sx's and a mitsubishi galant, I dont know too much about rwd cars or american cars for that fact. I have pictures to better explain what im talking about, and any help is appreciated, even pictures how it should be.


Bolt


Washer


Belt Rubbing

 

It is always better to see something like this in person. I suggest you take the belts off and put the pump assembly back the way it was with the washer in place behind the hex head bolt. Next look at the belt diagram on the underhood emission decal and route the belt as shown. Sometimes you have to remove other belts to get the one off you want depending on their location on the pulleys. I think all you had to do was remove the other belt first before you got the power steering one off.