I have a 2000 Camaro SS LS1. I am hearing a squealing noise whenever I come out of first or reverse from a dead stop. The issue doesn't seem to happen when I am rolling and shift into first like if I am coming around a corner and have to slow down. Both the serpentine belt and AC belt were replaced in the last 6 months as well as the serpentine belt auto tensioner pulley (I think there is a second tensioner for the AC belt and I have not replaced that one). If I over rev my engine coming out of a dead stop it doesn't do it nearly as often or as loud and a lot of the times it doesn't do it at all but if I try to come out of first nice and slow and easy it squeals a lot. I've tried turning my AC off and it doesn't make a difference.

The only other odd noise I've heard that may be related is sometimes when I pull into my garage after driving my car home from work and turn it off and get out I can hear a similar squeak or squeal for 5-10 seconds but it is more consistent like it happens every 2 seconds almost in a pattern.

I realize this problem could be a multitude of things but I'm hoping for some ideas to maybe help narrow down the cause.

 

sounds like a vacuum leak. better start checking your hoses.

 

I have noticed what I feel is a lack of power and terrible gas mileage lately (10 MPG City). Maybe they are related? A vacuum leak would actually make me feel better as I was thinking it may be a clutch or worn bearing.

 

It may be a clutch or worn bearing.
Seriously though, I was thinking a possible bad throwout/release bearing.
When idling and sitting still, does the sound change tune at all when the clutch pedal is either pushed down or let up?

 

If I am idling sitting still I don't hear the sound. Only when I start that transition between letting out the clutch and pressing the gas. If I just push the clutch in while in neutral with it idling it doesn't make any noise. Revving the engine while idle in neutral doesn't cause the noise to occur either. What made me think clutch is that if I give it a lot more gas than I should have to and start letting out the clutch it doesn't make the sound but then I am all but peeling out at every stop light.

 

How many miles are on the car and clutch? Your disc could be worn down to the rivets, which means steel on the steel pressure plate and/or flywheel. That'll make a little noise, and possibly give you a chatter.

 

The car has just shy of 85,000 miles. As far as I know it's the original clutch as I've only owned it for about 6 months. I was planning on getting the transmission fluid changed as I'm not sure if it has ever been done or not (I hope so considering the car is 12 years old).

 

check to see if the starter is rubbing the flywheel. that can make a squeal. just goin over low cost ideas.