Not quite sure what's going on here

[matchboxgirl]

Hey all! I'm having a little trouble with my car, it started a couple days ago... I drive an 03 premium v6 auto with all stock under the hood except for a K&N air filter. It's got 74,544 miles on it, everything is original. Anyway, when I crank it up, it sounds like there's something loose that's turning and you can hear a squeak(think nails on a chalkboard) it comes and goes and is worse on start up.

To me it sounds a lot like belt noise, but the belt seems to be rotating fine under the hood. I also thought I might have a flywheel loose. Anyway, when driving it yesterday I heard the sound and then when excelerating it felt like it kicked out of gear but then jerked right back into it and went on. After I took it home I left it with the hood up to idle while watching the belt turn and listening to see if I could possibly pinpoint the problem, after five minutes of idle the engine stopped as if it didn't have any gas, but it cranked right back up. It's the weekend so I can't have it checked out until tomorrow, I've got 500 miles left on the extended warranty, so I'm taking it to the dealer. Does anyone have any idea as to what this could be?

 

[232Mustang95]

When is the last time you checked/changed the oil?

 

[matchboxgirl]

Well that was my first thought too, so yesterday I checked it, oil level was good as was the color of the oil... There are no signs of leaking under the car nor is there any spray under the hood

 

[Skymarshal]

If it's not a belt, it could be a pulley bearing. Get a mechanic's stethescope at a good auto parts store- you can use it to isolate where a sound is coming from since it's highly directional.
You can do the same thing by taking a wire coat hanger and opening it up. Hold the curved end against your head near your ear and touch the other end to various points around the engine (non-rotating parts only, and be very careful!). When you touch it to the culprit part, the noise will be very loud and clear.

 

[raz54]

Has the belt been replaced? They are good foor about 6 years or 60000 miles. If not that's probably whats doing it. They can look perfect but still make noise especially at start up.

 

[calstud1028]

where is the noise coming from exactly? Because im in the same boat, and i have a 5 speed, and that noise is coming from the clutch area, i only hear it on start up.

 

[cjones]

where is the noise coming from exactly? Because im in the same boat, and i have a 5 speed, and that noise is coming from the clutch area, i only hear it on start up.

have someone listen to the starter while starting. the starter gear or flywheel may be worn.