2006 Mazda 3 - Chirping/Squeaking Sound

[Andraste]

Hey guys, I have a 2006 mazda 3 that has a chirping/squeaking sound coming from the front right area of the engine (from the driver's POV). It's been happening for about 3 years, and is now getting louder. I can hear it when the car is on idle, and every time I accelerate. I took it to the mechanic and he wasn't sure what it was, but said that it might be a pulley. He said that it's expensive to replace and after asking him whether it was dangerous to drive the car as it is, he said no. In your opinion, is getting this replaced urgent? I'm in school full time and not working, and drive to school via highway four times a week (200 km each day) so about 800 km each week. Is it safe to drive the car? Thanks

[Cjcoolen]

2.0 L or 2.3L? Automatic?

[Andraste]

2.0 L or 2.3L? Automatic?

It's a 2.3L automatic

[Cjcoolen]

Is there any way your mechanic can be more specific on what it is?

How bout take it to the dealership or Street Performance for a diagnosis?

-if it was a 2.0L id say tensioner but its a 2.3.. could still be a tensioner. If this is the thing that needs replacement, its not that expensive. Pls take this with a grain of salt.

Also, this sound could be a transmission whine too - its pretty loud.

Post a video of it for people to hear.

[jeff7670]

Agreed, post a video from the engine bay and when you drive and we may be able to help.

[Andraste]

I uploaded a video here: https://vid.me/djcs

As you can hear, every time I push the accelerator the chirping sound gets louder.

[Cjcoolen]

It only does it when you rev it?

[Andraste]

It only does it when you rev it?

Strangely it was quiet when I started my car today for recording this video. I noticed that in the winter it was much worse. But generally, it gets louder when revving it.

[jeff7670]

Doesn't sound extremely serious at this point. I wonder if it's a power steering pump or something. If you could post a picture of the sound from the engine bay while someone revs the motor.

[Flagrum_3]

One of the pulley bearings or worse, the water pump is going. Those would be my guess. Have a mechanic listen to it with a stethoscope to pin-point the location of the noise.


_3

[morganc]

I'd point to tensioner bearing. It's a standard sealed roller bearing that can be had at any bearing supplier for 15$. Find someone with a press or pound it out/in with a properly sized socket. You should be able to carefully pinpoint it with your ear? I wouldn't expect a waterpump bearing to be on the way out for 3 years and not have failed yet?

Easier yet - temporarily take the main drive belt off the pulleys and spin the waterpump and tensioner by hand manually. Without the engine running, the noise should be apparent.