Hey guys,

I've had this noise going on for a while, it doesn't seem to affect performance or anything and I can't track it down. (1999 SX-R 5SFE 120,000km)

Basically I hear a screeching noise which sounds like it's coming from the engine bay. It's most noticeable when I change gears and the revs drop and at specific RPMs or if I rev the car in neutral. It happens with a cold engine and at operating temp.

It makes the noise all the time, whether it's moving, stationary, in gear, in neutral, clutch in, clutch out.

I'm suspecting, belts, bearings in alternator, or one of the pumps or engine mounts but I can't really hear where it's coming from.

I'll try to get a recording of the noise, but it will probably be a bit hard to hear.

Thanks for any advice you guys have.

I would say that it sounds like the alternator belt is squeeling.

Try to tighten the belt using the small 12mm nut on the alternator housing. If this makes it go quiet, then you need to replace the belt as it has started to stretch.

( You could spray some spray grease on the alternator belt and the bearing part of the alternator as well and see if this fixes it. Again you will know for definate if this is the cause of your problem.

Good luck.

check the alternators belt tension

Thanks guys.

I checked the alternator belt, it seems pretty tight, but I'm not really sure how tight it should actually be.

However, the tiny belt that below it seems pretty loose to the touch, though again, I'm not exactly sure how tight it should be.

Rule of thumb for belt tension:

Look at the longest part of the belt( while its on the pulleys) and it should only be able to turn 90 degrees.

Power Steering pump belt.

have fun its sucks.

Have you checked to see if you have any oil on the belt aswell?

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It doesn't seem to have any oil on it, I'm fairly sure it's on the loose side though.

Should it be as tight as the alternator belt?

yep.

maybe i'd replace it if it seems worn out, but if it seems in good condition or you know it's not past it's sell-by-date, just keep it nice and tight, with just a bit of flex.

Thanks guys,

I haven't had a chance to look at it again yet. Is the power steering belt easy to tighten? I couldn't find anything about it in the manuals I have.

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You will need to remove your passenger side wheel.

Right behind where the subframe meets the body is the bolt and belt in question for the pump.

Its a 14mm can get to it with a normal socket but when you tension it back it can get in the way, so ones of those bent wrenches are the best. Can't recall the name =P

But the prying is the fun part. I've always stuck a prybar behind the pump and what I assume is the mount bracket or block and use my leg/knee to apply tension. Can take a few tries.

This post has been edited by rave2n: Feb 11, 2014 - 8:38 AM

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Thanks! That doesn't sound too difficult, I guess I'll pull the wheel off and have a look at what I'm dealing with, hopefully this weekend. It's gonna be the driver's side for me though, Aussie Celica lol