Expert: Skip Bollinger - 4/30/2007

Question
when i give the car gas there is a squeal and when i let off the gas there is a squeal its not too loud but very annoying  

Answer
Ben,
  I would like to preface this answer with this: I'm a Parts Professional, NOT a tech... Okay? Please understand that. With that being said, here we go....
  This sounds, to me, like a typical belt squeal. Open the hood, have someone start the car and rev up the engine a bit. Do you hear it squeal? IF SO, take anything, brake cleaner, carburetor cleaner, water, anything you can spray on the belt. Spray the belt and see if the noise goes away. If it does, replace the belt. If it doesn't, turn up the radio. Seriously,,,
  If the noise doesn't go away, inspect the pulleys for a build up of debris. You may need to clean the old belt "crap" off the pulleys. They really need to be clean.
  If none of the above works, take something like a hammer handle, short broom handle or whatever and use it as a "stethoscope" and listen (cup your hands and run the piece through your hands and put the end to your ear) to all the units that are being driven by the belt. This would include the alternator, power steering and air conditioner. See if you hear that noise from any of them. IF you do, have that unit checked for bearing noise.
  That is all I can think of. I hope this helps. If not, I can't come up with anything else. Please remember I'm a Parts Specialist, NOT a Tech.. Thank you for your question...
Skip