Ok well I did a search on this but most cars are over 100k miles on it. Well right now I have close to 50k miles on my car. I think im having a problem with the timing belt or the tensioner. Like when it down revs to about 1300rpm it makes this twirling noise like a whistling or something. I believe it's coming from near the valve cover but not too sure. It seems to only make noise around 1300-1500, other rpms im not sure cuz my exhaust is too loud. I don't think i need to change my timing belt cuz that's at 100k right? So is it my tensioner? anyone know how much it might cost? i dont have the reg warrentee no more but i still have the extended 7years/100k, would that cover for me? any suggestions will help

Also i dont have a beater car or watnot so i need to drive my car, im low on money so i have no clue when i can get this fixed, if it is the tensioner, is it safe to drive? im just scared the timing belt might break and then im screwed

 

if you have the 7yr/100k a timing belt should come your way with little to no expense. as for the sound..i'm not quite sure what that might be- i imagine that whatever sound that might be could be coming from the timing belt/ tensioner and you should have the belt replaced and the tensioner checked. also have them check your water pump.

 

ok well to clear up the noise, it kind of sounds like those old cars when like it squeels as it drives, like some kind of belt problem? but it sounds quieter, not really noticible unless u turn off ur system. Some people say it sounds likea rattling noise.

After reading some of the search button, most people thinks its the timing belt tensioner, my question is can i just change this? most people change it with the timing belt but i only got 49k as of now.

Hopefully it's covered by my extended warrentee, but does anyone know how much it might cost or is it a def that it's gonna be covered, i only have intake and exhaust so i doubt they will say it's cuz of those aftermarket.

Last question is, is it safe to drive? i have no clue what a tensioner is but i know timing belt is important, is it the same thing for the tensioner if it breaks or something? im trying to fix my car when it gets warmer cuz too cold out, so i wanan fix it all together. Also is it a long time job to fix it? or it's fast like an oil change.

thanks

 

if it's a 5th gen then I bet it's the auto-tensioner for the timing belt. There was a TSB (or was it a full recall?) on this

 

It could possibly be the tensioner like everyone else mentioned. As far as I know, most vehicles with timing belts (not chains) are due for replacement at 60k miles as part of the 60k mile tune up. You only have 50k miles, so I dunno, it's probably just belt noise or your belt is wearing a little faster than average. Doesn't hurt to check it out of course...

 

i have that same noise.. if i just tap the gas so the rpms get up to around 12-1300 and let off, it will make a faint whistling or squeeling noise... kind of like the sound a squeaky belt makes.. if you do fix it please let me know what it was- i had my timing belt changed at around 60k and it never did go away.. im at around 80k now

 

it could be becuase your timing belt is too tight

 

I doubt that your belt is too tight if it hasn't been messed with since the day that you got the car. Is your alternator keeping up with the car? IE are you lights dimming while you are at a light or anything like that? It could also be your serp belt. If you check your serp belt and it is good and tight, then don't waste ANY time taking your car to have the timing belt changed. I know that mine is an '87, but I had to pull the head and replace several valves when mine snapped...The part that sucked is I had just bought it and was on my way home with her. Just my $.02

J

 

ive heard a prelude with a timing belt on too tight and thats more of a whirring sound, not a slight whistle at low rpms