grinding, squealing noise in engine

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BRUCE HUNT
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Bokersmith
Mar 12, 2007.

Engine starts fine, car idles high until warm, at higher rpms squealing is blocked a bit but still there, when idle drops after warmed up, car runs rough and makes a grinding, almost squealing noise; sounds like a grinding wheel, cyclical - almost like something is spinning, catching, then spinning again. Similar sound occurred on another car when the alternator was going bad?
Vitals: acura, integra, 1990, 149K, 1.8L

I just spent some time listening to it at idle and the noise is coming from the opposite side. It seems to be coming from the distributor - and over time really gets high pitched and noisy.
Mar 12, 2007 at 9:53 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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Your diagnosis is what I would have suggested. Try loosening the alt and removing the belt. Start car and note how quiet it now it. It is either the belt or the alternator. It will probably check fine when tested but that does not tell you that a bearing is going out.
Mar 12, 2007 at 9:53 AM