The neverending squeal......
February-7th-2002, 08:56 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Posts: 40
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.
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.
February-7th-2002, 10:36 PM
#2
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: PA
Posts: 2,339
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...
February-8th-2002, 10:52 PM
#4
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Location: Murfreesboro, TN
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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.
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.
February-9th-2002, 01:25 AM
#5
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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.
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.
February-10th-2002, 07:07 PM
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
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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.
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.
August-6th-2003, 05:30 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 21
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 **** 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.
Very common problem in older cars. Pull off your heatshield and get a can of PBblaster and spray the **** 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.
August-7th-2003, 02:17 PM
#9
Protege crazy
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Canada, Wolfville, N.S.
Posts: 665
Originally posted by Gro Harlem
I had the EXACT same problem with my white protege. Turns out the alternator belt kept getting loose...so i replaced it....
About 10k miles later it started making a similar noise. I replaced the alternator and havne't had a problem since. It is VERY VERY likely that your alternator is going, and the bearing is harder to turn..thus the belt making a squeling noise.
Just to know..is the squeal like a pulsating chirping sorta noise? thats how mine was
I had the EXACT same problem with my white protege. Turns out the alternator belt kept getting loose...so i replaced it....
About 10k miles later it started making a similar noise. I replaced the alternator and havne't had a problem since. It is VERY VERY likely that your alternator is going, and the bearing is harder to turn..thus the belt making a squeling noise.
Just to know..is the squeal like a pulsating chirping sorta noise? thats how mine was
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
August-14th-2003, 02:47 AM
#11
formerly chastan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: California, USA
Posts: 2,350
Originally posted by FlySwat
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 **** 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.
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 **** 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.
. hehe
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