Cold starts, low pitch whine...
 

posted this over at IWantMyMiataToHaveMyBaby.net but figured i would get better answers here.. soooooooooooooo...

ive recently developed a skreech, like when you shift hard from 1st to 2nd and your tires chirp, on cold starts along with about a 10 second low pitch whine. the noise and the chirp on start up will go away after the car has warmed...

started off by adjusting the alternator belt several times, that didnt help

then i made sure the timing belt was still (changed timing belt last year or 12k miles ago) properly tensionsed and holding the timing steady. everything seemed to be ok, made a small adjustment, checked the timing and it holds steady at 10-11 degrees with no fluttering.

started the car and everything seemed to be peachy. no chirp, no low pitch whine. Then this morning (about 49 degrees) started it up, no chirp.. but the low pitch whine came back...everything returns to normal once up to operating temp..

im thinking its either the idler or tensioner pulley? not really sure how to test for it, or if i should even be worried about it.

any suggestions?

'96 ~94k miles

when the car is making the noise spray down the acc belts. i had a similar problem that went away once i sprayed a them with a solvent. i removed the rust from the pulleys and adjusted the tension. no more noise.

i hope it's that simple for you too.

thanks ill give it a shot, what kind of solvent did you use? any particular brand/type?

anything wet that wont effect rubber.