The neverending squeal......
 

Okay. My baby has been sick and I can't figure out what it is, so I am turning to you all for help. (What better place to go. :)

About 5K miles ago, she started squealing when I started her. At first we thought it was the AC compressor. After some checking we found out it wasn't. So we thought a belt, again, no. Here is what it does.

* While cold outside..below 40, high pitched squeal such as a loose belt, or bad bearings.
* Once car warms up, sound stops.
* Squeal only occurs when RPMs are 1000 or below. If I rev up the motor, or speed up or anything, she stops.

I am thinking it might be the bearings on one of the pulleys, however I am unsure. Has anyone else had this problem? If you need more info, let me know and I'll give you all I can.

Thanks.

It almost has to be something with your belt. I mean, I don't know a ton about cars, but all those symptoms are exactly describing a problem of that nature such as loose/worn belts, or bad bearings somewhere. Make sure the belt is nice and tight, and move on from there...

does it sound like a bicycle chain that havent been greased?

Well, I don't really know that sound, but how 'bout this.

It sounds really close to a loose fan belt. However, we checked them, and none were loose. Soooo.....leaves the hmmm thing. I am with Funk, it may be the bearings. But the pulleys are so hard to get to. sheesh.

How to check if it's a bearing
 

To find out whether it's a bearing, take a long screwdriver or extension (18" works great). Put one end up to your ear, and touch the other end to the accessories. If you hear a grinding sound, it's the bearing. BUT, it should be a loud grinding noise. Normal bearing sounds are slightly grindy with this method.

Now, it could be a bad belt. Belts don't have to be loose to make noise. If they are glazed or worn out, they can squeal. That the noise goes away when warm suggests that it's a belt. They aren't that expensive, and not too hard to replace. And don't over-tighten them, as that will eat bearings, be it in the water pump, the alternator, the PS pump or the AC compressor.

Thanks for the heads up. I wouldn't have guessed that a belt could squeal while not being loose. News to me. I'll check in to it.

Hmm...could be the belt on it, but I doubt the alternator itself. I just had it replaced Fall of '99. So hopefully it shouldn't be going bad again. But who knows. I had it replaced at a Federated Car Care center. I was in the middle of a 6 hour trip when it killed over. Had no choice but to get it done there. Figures. I am planning on looking into it all this week. I have been too busy this weekend. :)

Thanks for anothing suggestion.

And yeah..it is a bit like a chirping sound...weird. I can sit there, rev it up, and it will get really loud and high, then stop. Then once the RPMs slow down it does it again.

If you have replaced your belts then its most likely that the nuts/studs on your exhaust manifold have begun to back out, letting exhaust escape while the head/manifold are cold. Once they warm up they seal the leak shut.

Very common problem in older cars. Pull off your heatshield and get a can of PBblaster and spray the shit out of the exhaust manifold bolts. Let them soak for 10-20 minutes before you move them. Try torqeuing them back down to spec and seeing if that fixes your problem. If it doesnt, you need to remove the manifold and remove the studs and get a whole new set of studs. You can get studs at most parts stores for about $2US a piece.

Hope I helped. I've been working on Mazda's a long time, just new to the protege.

bingo!! hes right i have the same problem right now its the bigger bearing inside your altenator (right benide the pully) you have run out of lube, you can
A.) buy a new bearing 30 - 40 bucks
b.) buy a new altenator 300 cdn
c.) buy some bearing/high heat grease and lube that bastard up! but mind you if the bearing is shot forget this option

timing belt maybe ? just a thought

Good info to know, but, just to let you know, the post you replied to is about a year and a half old, I hope he fixed it by now :D . hehe