Pontiac Repair: grand am 99 belt, belt dressing, grand am


Question
Everytime i start my car it squeaks for a few minutes and then goes away. sounds like a belt, but how do i know which one if it is? and how can find out where to tighten it if it might be loose? i need options for less money. i am about to sell my car and cannot afford to go to a mechanic... please help, and if there is a way to fix the belt myself for cheap, how?

Answer
Hi, need to feel the belts and see how much play is in them. if the belts are loose then it may need to be changed.this also could be the tensioner this is what holds the belt tight. the tensioner has 3 marks on it.( 3) is on the part thats bolts to the block. 2&1  is on the arm that holds the belt tight if 1& 3 are inline the tensioner need to be changed. A cheap fix is to buy a can of belt dressing and spray the belts. some time this will take the squeaks out.