# 99 mazda protege

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** acceleration\
**Created:** [December 21, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544 "2007-12-21T04:11:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![majooli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@majooli](https://community.cartalk.com/u/majooli)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544/1 "2007-12-21T04:11:21Z")

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My 99 protege started squealing intermitently several months ago. I changed the belts, and the squeal disappeared for a few days. But, it started again! Seems to be worst when accelerating after a stop. New belts actually broke so took it to a mechanic who replaced water pump and timing belt and checked alternator. Didn’t squeal for a few hours following service work. But, then it started again. I’m at a loss.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [December 21, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544/2 "2007-12-21T23:33:49Z")

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Did he check the serpentine belt tensioner?

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544/3 "2007-12-22T01:28:10Z")

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“New belts actually broke”.

Perhaps there is a pulley out of line.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544/4 "2007-12-22T02:58:04Z")

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Timing belts are toothed, and do not squeal, no matter what. The squeal is coming from one of the accessory drive belts (the ones you can see). If one of the new belts broke, it was probably because what it was driving is seized, and needs to be replaced. Which belt broke? Alternator? Air Conditioner Compressor? Power Steering?

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [December 22, 2007, 3:12am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/99-mazda-protege/8544/5 "2007-12-22T03:12:18Z")

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Check to see (hear) if it squeals with the A/C on. If it does, the A/C compressor is likely the component which is putting excessive load on the drive belt, causing it to squeal. It could be one of the other belt driven components.