Engine Noise sounds like a belt or pully, Advice?

Hey,

I am hoping someone out there has experienced this issue and I am not the only one. If you have please give me what you found and if not I am open for any advice.

I have a 2004 Tacoma 3.4L V6, has roughly 78k miles on it.

Here is the scenerio:
Periodically when driving down the road the engine will start to make a squeeling noise, like a belt is slipping. However, when I left off the accelerator it will initially stop but start to come back, same when I step harder on the accelerator. When it is making the noise, I will drop my speed down to below 15 mph and it will stop.
Weird thing is that it has not happened again for 4 days. It will happen for awhile, then stop for days. I can not get it to consistantly reproduce the issue.
I am worried if I let it go, I may cause more damage. I wanted to get some input before I just started throwing parts at it.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

 

Have you checked your belt at all? See if It's cracked or worn at all, then replace it if it is.

 

I forgot to state that, yes I did look at the belt, visually it looks fine, and the tension seems ok as well.

Thanks for the quick reply.

 

How old is the belt. Possible that even though it may look ok it is still old and slipping. You could maybe try some belt dressing spray, if that seems to fix it you know you need a new belt.

 

does the belt look kind of glazed over or shiny where it makes contact with the pulleys? if it does then its time to replace the belt.