I know it sounds funny but when the engine is cold, and I turn it over I get a screatch like a rooster which goes away rather quick. I checked the belts and the one on the alternator looks a little loose but it does not have more than 3/4 inch give if I push on it. Not do the other belts. Any idea if this is a belt or something more? I don't want to let it get worse.

it sounds to me you have a bad crank pulley, do you have a timing light? check the timing, if you cant see it or if yoiu can see it moving around the outer part of the pulley is loose on the elastomer and spinning, this is a common problem.

This sounds exactly like a belt problem. Tighten it up, all should be well. 3/4 inch is a bit loose. Check them all, it should just take a minute. Inspect them for cracks too- replace the belts if they are cracked.
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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '86 244DL- 215K, 87 244DL- 230K, 88 744GLE- 198K, 91 244 180K

if it happend when the starter motor is engaged, then it could be the starter/starter syl or your missing some teeth on the flywheel.

It actually happens right after the engine fires not while I am trying to turn it over. So it would seem as if the starter engine had done its job. Further, it does not happen when the engine is warm...go figure

Thanks.

This Am I checked the belts with the car running. This is a 760 T. Looking under thehood, the belt that goes diagonally around the alternator wobbles quite a bit more than the other belts. I can see the bolt under the alternator that would tension up the belt. Is that the only one I need to turn for that belt? Which way do I turn it to tension it? I assume clockwise? This belt has a lot of miles on it ..say 60k but I do not see any cracks or missing teeth so I would like to tighten it first...just need a litle more info on what to turn and which direction. Also, how come when the car is warm i do not get the squeal?

thanks!

JP

Before you turn that bolt to adjust you must first loosen the alternator so that it can pivot. If you just turn the adjusting bolt the alternator will not move and you will surely break the adjusting bolt.
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David Hunter

id deff checks your belts then, they should be really tight with little to no movement, keep in mind if you have just changed then recently they should be adjusted, the belt expand after they are installed new. if you find that after tightning / replacing the belts you still have the problem look into the pully's them selfs, but id deff go with the belts first.