Squealing and smelling burnt

Tiny
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  • 2001 MAZDA PROTEGE
  • 255,000 MILES
I have a 2001 Mazda protege. It has been making a squealing sound for a couple of years. Someone told us it was the belt and we replaced that (2.5 years ago) but it still makes that sound. Recently it started making a hovering sound (couple of weeks ago)
Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 9:44 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
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Maybe, what does it smell like, rubber or oil?
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 10:12 PM
Tiny
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We what? Got cut off.
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
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We replaced the belt 2.5 years ago but still makes squealing sound. Recently it started to make a hovering sound (couple of weeks) and then today when my husband parked it started to smoke. It looked like it was coming from the front passenger tire area. Someone said it might be the brakes and someone else said it might be a radiator leak.
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 1:03 AM
Tiny
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We did not notice any smell.
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 1:04 AM
Tiny
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If it is brakes wheel will throw off heat and be burning hot to touch. If anti freeze it will have a smell.
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 3:54 AM
Tiny
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You mean belt replace did NOT cure squeal? Does it sueal all the time or mostly after starting.
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 3:55 AM
Tiny
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My husband said it did have a tar smell, but I didn't notice. Replacing the belt did NOT fix the squeal. It use to only squeal at start up in 1st gear, but now it squeals more often and even up into 3rd gear, but most after it has been started. Next time I drive I will check the tire for heat and lift the hood to see if we can get a better idea of where the smoke is coming from.
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 5:21 AM
Tiny
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Did you replace belt or have someone do it? Does it have a spring tensioner pulley?
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 5:30 AM
Tiny
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We replaced the belt ourselves but couldn't get it tightened all the way so took it somewhere to get it tightened to the right tightness. We just took it into les shwab today they said the brakes were fine. So how do we check for a radiator leak? Where is the radiator?
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Tuesday, March 13th, 2012 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
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Radiator is across front of car behind grill. If you have AC there are 2 of them. 1 closest to motor has coolant for motor. Dont know how this could be related to squeal though.
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Thursday, March 15th, 2012 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
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We were thinking the smoking/steaming might be due to a radiator leak. I'm lost on the noises. I just would like to know if it is something urgent or that could damage a different part of the car.
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Thursday, March 15th, 2012 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
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See if your loosing coolant? If radiator is leaking, coolant level in resovoir will go down.
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 5:19 AM
Tiny
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We did notice the coolant is low. But the coolant reservoir is on the opposite side of the car from where the smoke/steam was coming out.
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Friday, March 16th, 2012 AT 5:44 AM
Tiny
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Leak is on other side?
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Saturday, March 17th, 2012 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
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It stopped smoking on it's own and we topped off all the fluids. But how do I check for a leak if it starts to smoke again?
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Saturday, March 17th, 2012 AT 4:52 AM
Tiny
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2 kinds of leaks. Wet and dry. Dry kind just steams and leaves no clues. Wet kind drips leaves wet clues where leaking. Anti freeze has a definate smell to it. Cook some and you will get the nose for it. Or open your reservoir and smell it when warm.
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Saturday, March 17th, 2012 AT 5:55 AM

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