97 protege squealing

[tjharder]

I recently purchased a 97 protege LX with 96,000 miles on it. Automatic, CD player. Very clean and runs good.

Here in Wisconsin the temp has been hitting below 30 at night and when started in the morning it screeches something fierce. Sometimes lasts a few seconds other times it continues for 5 miles. Getting louder as I accelerate. I finally got a chance to get under the hood while it was doing it and put my stethoscope on it. I hope I am wrong but it sounded to me like it was coming from the crankshaft pully. I have never heard a crank pully do this. Then yesterday the engine light popped on. Running fine. Haven't checked the code yet.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I really don't have the $$ to pay somebody else to fix.

[sanblaster]

Get the code checked out. Rent the device from an autozone if possible. What part of WI are you from?

[tjharder]

Just over the border in Burlington. I have a feeling the code is not related because the screaching started about 2 weeks ago and the light just come on.

I will stop in at Advance Auto next door tonight. They let you use the scanners for free.

[sanblaster]

A buddy of mine has a shop not to far from you. He owns protegegarage. Maybe you can swing by the shop if he isn't too busy. Always helps me out. Good people there.

[tjharder]

Is that the one in Libertyville? I work at a Ford/Chrysler dealer so I am going to tap that resource first but the techs can be a little hesitant to help with anything other than Ford or Chrysler stuff. Thanks though. I will let you know if I need a contact at protegegarage though. Thanks.

[mannydingo]

Why hasn't a slipping belt been brought up? That could also bring up a code from not turning, say, the alternator enough. A belt would also be in the crankshaft area. Do not just tighten the adjuster. There's more to it. Find out if it's the belt, first and get back to us.

[tjharder]

The check engine light went off. I did not check codes before it left. The alt. belt snapped off yesterday and I replaced both belts and they appear to be proper tension. As soon as I started it the screeching started and I smelled burning rubber. I suspect the waterpump. Kind of a lengthy repair for a guess. I am at a loss. The screeching is so loud when I pop the hood I can't pinpoint it. Very frustating.

[mannydingo]

Why hasn't a slipping belt been brought up? That could also bring up a code from not turning, say, the alternator enough. A belt would also be in the crankshaft area. Do not just tighten the adjuster. There's more to it. Find out if it's the belt, first and get back to us.

I guess my words above held true. Anyway, here's a link to another forum site where I wrote a How-To on just this problem:

http://imazda.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1015

If you register there, use your same username and this time put your location on your profile so we know what city you are in.