Screeching noise in engine after cold and wet mornings

[zmz3]

Good Morning Everyone,

I have been monitoring what I think is abnormal noise coming from the engine passenger side area when I turn the car in cold mornings and/or after a rainy wet over night.

This happens every now and then, and I am not sure what the issue could be here. The sound lasts for about 1 second, and its a screeching one, almost feels like as if something is not lubricated... the belts? Starter?


I found a similar noise, however, the duration (in my car) is not as long or the sound is not as bad. Its a very small fraction of that noise, but it's still noticeable.

PS not sure why they video taped the dude walking and entering the car, but w/e. The video had the sound I was looking after, kinda


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KL-CE5kbRg

Anyone have any ideas? :(

Thank you

[Donutz]

My first thought is moisture on the belt, or a bad belt tensioner. It could also be a number of things related to the pulleys.

[zmz3]

My first thought is moisture on the belt, or a bad belt tensioner. It could also be a number of things related to the pulleys.

This could explain the AWFUL screeching I get from the belt tensioner in cold mornings :(

Looks like belt tensioner and serpentine belt are up for replacement

[cwp_sedan]

+1.

I always get it after I get the car washed. Moisture causes a little slip and usually creates that noise. It could be as extensive as the tensioner but I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it does it all of the time.

[zmz3]

+1.

I always get it after I get the car washed. Moisture causes a little slip and usually creates that noise. It could be as extensive as the tensioner but I wouldn't worry about it too much unless it does it all of the time.

That's exactly how you'd describe it. I guess the belt has never been adjusted nor replaced. Also, I know my belt tensioner needs replacement, that thing screeches like no tomorrow... so embarrassing... especially when im doing about 80km/h then I slow down, the tranny downshifts, then it does about 70km/h and i approach a hill at 1500rpm... I feel like the belts and tensioners are about to snap! :whoa -- mostly on cold mornings and/or when there is moisture in the air...

Anyway, If you do get it too, I guess it's the quality of belt or something, cause I never had this on previous cars. I'll keep monitoring and see where this goes.

If anyone has additional info, please do post it up, i'll be monitoring for long term anyhow

[PearlM3]

my car has done this for almost 2 years now..meh...it still works lol

[Hermes]

I had a lighter version of this noise on my 2010 Mazda 3 GS AT. Started in late November with less than 20k on the car. I could hear this noise under several conditions: cold engine/car, rpm around 1500-1700 and engine under slight load. Sounded like a cricket, but you could hear it was coming from a rotational movement. This noise drove me crazy. Later in the winter, it could be heard almost always whenever RPMs were falling down to ~1500 (i.e. after gear shifting from 3 to 4). My initial thoughts were: (a) belt tensioner or (b) belts. Had to go to the dealer several times before they could even hear this noise. They agreed to replace the belt tensioner but it did not help. Then I requested that they changed the belts and they did. All covered under warranty. No noise was heard after replacing the belts. I guess some of the belts Mazda puts on its cars are faulty, good quality belts should not make any sounds with just 20k on them.

[Booter22]

I still get the same noise once in a while on mine as well. But of course by the time it warms up a bit it all goes away. we will have to keep an eye on it in the summer to see if it continues or goes away until winter.