The car screams a bit when I first start up (worse on cold days). Once the car warms up (usually 15 minutes) it stops.

This is when I'm at idle. If at a stop, I will tap the gas and it squeals and then stop. Also if I turn the wheels it usually gets loud, and if I turn on the AC is really gets loud.

But all the symptoms stop once the car is warmed up.

I replaced the fan belt a while ago, with the longer updated route. I figured that was the issue, so I bought an original length belt (1623 I believe). It is quieter when it starts up, instead of squealing until I tap the gas, it now squeals WHEN I tap the gas. And if i turn on the AC, it definitely squeals.

I've tried spraying lube (of sorts) on the pulleys, to no avail.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
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1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten.

You might try a heater hose hearing aid - take a piece of 3/4" or 5/8" heater hose about 4 feet long, put one end to your ear, and aim the other end at what you want to hear. The hose isolates the sound.

I have to agree with B.B., an idler pulley bearing is bad. It probably has more tension on it with the shorter belt because of the routing difference. There is no good way to tell except to remove it and check for play.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

More tension = less squealing?

Should it be going out after less than 40K miles?

I don't know if i mentioned this earlier (I don't think I did), if I push on the tensioner (using a wrench in the slot), it quiets down the noise a TON.

That is why I initially thought the longer belt was the issue (since mine is a 93, it is quirky and unique, so I felt that the new belt wasn't correct for my car for whatever reason).

I had tried loosening the tensioner and moving it back (putting more tension on the belt) but that didn't make a difference. But manually rotating the pulley into the belt silences it.

(I don't remember which way I rotated it, but I think it's so the pulley puts more tension on the belt).

Should've included this in the first post, but I had forgotten I did this.


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1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten.

Yes. There is an idler pulley, not part of the tensioner, that may be making the noise.

You are right about the 1993 being a strange duck, but the engine is the same.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

Is there a simple way to test it?
--
1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten.

Only by pulling off the belt and using fingers to feel for any drag or play. It should turn as smooth as butter.
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Keeping it running is better than buying new

It may just be that the tensioner spring has weakened with age. It could be 27 years old.
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Current rides: 2005 Volvo S80 2.5T, 2003 Volvo V70 2.4NA, 1973 Volvo 1800ES (getting ever closer to road worthiness)

I think the squeal you hear is a bearing gone west. there's The belt tensioner,
an idler puller, PS pump, AC compressor, and alternator.

The tensioner and idler pulley brgs. being prime suspects.

S-belt tensioner or p/s pump?

I replaced the tensioner when I did the timing belt about 30K miles ago.

I assume, maybe incorrectly, that if the sound was coming from the PS pump, or any of the other pulleys, I would be able to hear it while using a dowel pressed up against it?

Btw, sorry for such a late response, I was out of the state for the last 7 days.
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1985 245. 246K Gone..but not forgotten.