Before i begin, my car has had a faulty/leaking water pump for about 6 months now, but never seem to do any harm except waste coolant.


Anyways, its not really grinding but like something is rubbing against each other. Im thinking its the belts or something. Can anyone chime in? After 1600rpms, it goes away.

What does it sound like? Metallic? Plastic/rubber pieces rubbing against eachother?

If it's on the left side, it can't be the belts. Only moving stuff over there is your axle, (clutch|torque converter), and trans.

left side being YOU standing in front of car. Sorry.

Doesnt sound like rubber squeaking, more like something is loose or vibrating against something.

*NOTE this happens as soon as i turn on car, last about 3 min, and settles down. Soon as i give it some gas, it will make the sound from idle to 1600rpm and go away.

The front of the motor is on the right side regardless of where you stand in orientation to the car.

Regardless, is it a metallic sound or rubber/plastic rubbing?

I'd say metalic.

Mine did that for 1 week before my tensioner pulley stopped working. Metallic grinding sound, at low rpm.
Jae

How exactly did it stop working?

if its from the tranny side it could be the clutch slipping(if you have 5spd)...i know my clutch sounds like that right now

Maybe the timing chain tensioner. My 95 does this sometimes when starting cold if the oil is low and/or the outside temp is low. It's a known problem on older engines. The chain rubs on the inside of the case because it's slack. As the rpms go up, the chain straightens out and the noise is less noticable.

Could also be that the water pump bearings have given up after treading water for the last 6 months.

It sounds like a bearing. If you can't pin point it, run you car in idle without the belts. See if the noise goes away. If it goes away then it is one of the accessories. ^^^ Water pump bearing is a good bet.