# Whining noise after timing belt change

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru, forester\
**Created:** [March 27, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045 "2011-03-27T04:23:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dippetidaho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@dippetidaho](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dippetidaho)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045/1 "2011-03-27T04:23:43Z")

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we just had our timing belt changed today as well as the waterpump and fanbelts. It has a loud whining noise now and I don’t know if it is even safe to drive back to the mechanic

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**Author:** ![MTraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ccd318/32.png) [@MTraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MTraveler)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045/2 "2011-03-27T12:47:46Z")

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Call the mechanic. Tell him your concerns. Let him tell you if he thinks it’s OK to drive back to the shop. Get a commitment from him to be responsible for any damage that results from his advice.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 1:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045/3 "2011-03-27T13:01:42Z")

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It is 95% likely related. It could be as simple as improperly tightened fan belt or possibly a failing tensioner.

Way more important than changing a water pump if not failed is the tensioner.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [March 27, 2011, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/whining-noise-after-timing-belt-change/63045/4 "2011-03-27T17:52:19Z")

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If the whining did not exist before then it’s likely caused by someone getting the belt too tight.