UK Car Repair: Noisy fan belt, noisy fan, fan belt

Question
I got an R reg fiat punto a few days ago, it was running fine but has suddenly started to make a really loud squeaking noise when i press the accelerator. Do you have any idea what this could be and if so would it cost much to fix it?

Answer
It may be the belt, if it is very hard they slip but not for long as they are ready to break! Carefully, and with the engine stopped look at the belt and see how it is. It is more likely that it is a bad bearing in one of the pulleys, idler, adjuster, alternator etc.  There are ways to narrow it down but the easiest way is to remove the belt and spin each of the pulleys, you will hear and probably feel the bad one.