Whenever I accelerate, I hear this strange noise, a rattle of some sort coming from what seems like the engine compartment. This only occurs under heavy acceleration. I’m thinking it may be the belt, but the belt does not appear to be deteriorated. Is it right to assume that the belt may need replacement even though it did not rip, crack, etc.?

I noticed that the belt makes noise when the car is cold, or not fully warmed up. So I guess my question is: would it make a different noise when accelerating? If so, why or why not?

 

If your belts have 60k miles or more, change them. Belts could make a different noise under acceleration since they spin faster. Check for belt tension, loose pulley's, or maybe its your exhaust making the noise. Rev the engine and have someone look under the hood.

 

thanks, will do..

 

If you're hearing the noise while you drive and your belts are in good shape and tension is within specs, then that noise could mean your alternator is about to go

 

Why? alternators make noise when they're about to go? What kind of noise?

Also, will the ECU throw codes before alternator goes or am I simply fcuked, not knowing when I'll have to buy a new battery??

 

my alternator whined, went to autozone to get it checked, bad diode, wasnt charging the system properly, so i got it changed quiclky because i dindt wnat to pay for both an alternator and a battery, i dont konw if it makes a rattling noise, but if you wanna konw take it to autozone or advance auto or soemthing to narrow it down

 

Yep, they'll make a high pitched whining noise regardless of rpm the engine is at, letting you know the alternator is gone.

if you also see both brake and battery lights on at the same time that's another sign the alternator is gone

 

try spraying a belt tensioner on you belts, and see if the sound stop.
My belts make a noise (whining) when the engine is cold, sometimes while driving. but if I spray hat product on the belts the sound stops right away.
(yes I need to buy new belts....but that is another problem)

 

Why would you have to replace the battery if the alternator went bad? If you had an Optima you wouldn't have to worry about it.

 

Mac, you need to bring the car by Tuner's Garage and we'll take a look.