"John A" wrote in message
...
I have a 1999 3.0L volvo engine that has developed a loud screeching sound
that lasts for 2 - 5 seconds after starting. Originally I thought it was a
belt, but the belts all look fine.

Does "looking fine" include being tight? This is a typical symtom of a
belt that is not tight enough. When the engine starts, and the belt is cold,
the poor belt friction has a tough time getting one of the pulleys to start
turning. After the belt slips for a few seconds the friction heats the belt
up and its grip improves. Once the pulley starts to turn it is far easier
to keep it turning so it doesn't slip any more.

When I take off the belts and turn
these pullies, they all turn freely except for the water pump (volvo has a
belt driven water pump on the engine, not in the outdrive, that pulls the
water in). I can turn this pully but it is very hard to turn. Should this
be
hard to turn by hand?

If this is the circulating pump (like a car would have) then it should
turn freely.

If this is the raw water pump, which contains the rubber impeller, then it
would have a significant amount of resistance to turn, especially when it is
"dry". This is why you can't run the engine on the trailer without
providing water to the inlet, as this friction will quickly cause the
impeller to heat up and self destruct.



I am now suspecting that this may be the root of my
screeching sound. Maybe a new impeller and/or bearings are in order?

First, make sure all the belts are tight.

Second, change the impeller. If you haven't changed it in the last couple
of years then it needs to be replace anyway.

If that doesn't fix the problem, then try to eliminate which device is or
isn't causing the problem. If you have more than one belt, try removing one
and start the engine (just briefly). If it still squealed, you can rule out
anything driven by just that one belt. If the squeal stopped, then either
that belt was too loose or something it is driving is too tight.

Rod