Alright I have a 99 civic ex, with the stock d16y8 and have been living with this noise for the last 6 months and I really can't deal with it anymore. You can only hear it at lower rpms, it gets louder if you lightly hit the gas but at higher rpms you can not hear it. It's a whining noise, not screeching like when a serpentine belt needs replacement but rather like a belt cutting into plastic type of noise. The noise goes "round and round" as if it is a pully or something and is more of a high-pitched sound. I think it may be the tensioner for the timing belt but I figured I would ask you guys and see what you thought.

Thank you


Modified by zxracer3 at 2:21 PM 7/1/2007

 

Try to isolate the location of the noise.

Belts on rib belted cars do not whine when they are worn, they screech, they whine when they are too tight.

 

I believe that the timing belt may be too tight. What do you think I need to fix it? Can I get away with loosening the timing belt or is the old one stretched out and I need a new one? Also do you think I need to get a tensioner as well?

 

Did you replace it anytime in the past? If you haven't replaced it, it could be the tensioner bearing, but I've haven't seen one go bad yet myself.

If you have time remove the accessory belts and turn the engine over and see if it makes that same noise, only belt left then is the timing belt.

Does the noise go away if its hot or cold? or does it get worse? Mine used to whine when it was really cold, but all that turned out being was the alternator belt.

 

The timing belt was replaced about the same time that the noise began (6 months ago).

I don't think it is any other belt since I used some belt dressing on them and the noise did not go away or decrease at all.

Hot or cold it does not matter it always makes the noise.

Overall I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the timing belt.

 

Here is a video clip of the noise that I took today.