I have a 91 Legacy Wagon non turbo. Whenever I start my car off from idle speed with the a/c, heat, or lights on, I get a loud squealing noise that is proportional to the rpms. Has anyone else had this problem before? I don't know if it's because the belts are slipping or if it's the bearings or something along that line in the power steering or compressor.
I'm not totally clear on what's going on, but I may be able to help. The grease in the aircon idler pulley can get old and cause it to squeak pretty much continuously and at a pitch proportional to rpms. Either replace the pulley or clean and repack the ball bearing in the center.
If your aircon belt is slipping, you'll get a sort of a chiff/squeak sound when the clutch engages. Change the belt. The belt has to be surprisingly tight to prevent it.
I have a wagon just like that (91 Legacy, no turbo). love it (except for the issues an old car presents). 220,000 miles (bought it used at 145000)
first, watch the engine while it is squealing. This will tell you lots.
A noise like that can be important/deadly or a simple adjustment. most common would be a belt adjustment.
then with ignition off (duh!) check the accessory drive belt (once called "fan" belt, but your fans are electric). On the part that goes down from the top pully (I recall this is the adjustment bracket, not an accessory) push the belt towards the left as you are looking at it. if it moves > about 1/4 inch, you need to tighten it. You will need a 12mm socket with a short extension. Look at the belt bracket and you will see a long screw that goes vertically. on the bracket you will see a horizontal bolt that goes in towards the engine at a point near where the long screw goes into the bracket. loosen that bolt, a turn or so whould do. then tighten the long screw a little at a time while testing the tension in the belt. when it seems like it is tight enough that you can't deflect it by about 1/4" on the vertical section, you have it tightened. then tighten the horizontal bolt.
The ac belt adjusts in a similar manner.(my compressor died long time ago, and I have it unplugged so i've necver adjusted it. you can chek if it is ac by turnin off the AC. (or, pull the plug fron top of the compressor under the hood).
Sorry to have to contradict you mac, but a belt that does'nt deflect some in its longest portion is too tight. That can damage the alt bearing and even the front crankshaft bearing is some cases. The owner's manual, Haynes, Chilton and the FSM indicate you have to have a small amount of give in the longest part of the belt. Haynes: «The tension of the belt is checked by pushing on the belt at a distance halfway between the pulleys. Push firmly with your thumb and see how much the belt moves (deflects). AS RULE OF THUMB, THE BELT SHOULD DEFLECT APPROXIMATIVELY 1/4 INCH.»
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