Yaris Mk1 T-Sport - help with strange noise in engine bay

[Silver Yaris]

Hi all, I have what I can only describe as an angry cat (animal & not convertor) under my bonnet. The noise is fairly loud and gets louder as the engine is revved. 

This noise is present when the car is stationary so it's not motion related. 

I initially thought it was coming from the engine until I lifted the bonnet & it appears to be the belts / pulleys side of the engine. 

I've had all the belts replaced by Toyota about 12 months ago, so could it be a noisy pulley or has anyone else experienced this or have any idea what this could be? 

I use the car to commute nearly 70 miles per day so could do with understanding what this is ASAP. 

TIA for any responses. 

[Madasafish]

The squeal is likely to be either:

- one of the belts slipping as the belt is loose - which means it requires retensioning.

- or the belt tensioning pulley has seized and the belt is slipping on it

-or one of the components driven by the belt - water pump, alternator - has  a failing bearing causing the belt to slip (If this was the case, you would have failing electrical systems or an overheating engine.

 

My at a distance guess is  it's the first item. A new belt stretches a bit when first used.

 

[bathtub tom]

Try using a water spray (definitely not WD40) on each belt to try and identify which one's causing the problem. The noise will disappear on hitting the offending belt and water will do no harm.

[KennyKen1988]

Good responses and yes like tom said try a bit of water on each pulley area first. Let us know if you manage to identify the problem.

[Silver Yaris]

5 hours ago, Madasafish said:

The squeal is likely to be either:

- one of the belts slipping as the belt is loose - which means it requires retensioning.

- or the belt tensioning pulley has seized and the belt is slipping on it

-or one of the components driven by the belt - water pump, alternator - has  a failing bearing causing the belt to slip (If this was the case, you would have failing electrical systems or an overheating engine.

 

My at a distance guess is  it's the first item. A new belt stretches a bit when first used.

 

Hi Madasfish, I think you are on to something.

It's not a squeal as I had that a while after getting the new belts fitted so had to go back & get them adjusted. This is more of a weird angry cat noise. Anyway, spoke with Toyota today who have always looked after it and they are saying they think it's either the water pump on it's way out as apparently they make weird noises when they start to go or the bearings in one of the pulleys. I'm going to take it in tomorrow for them to have a look and see if they can identify exactly what it is before I have to part with some cash.

[Silver Yaris]

Update on this after going to the garage today - water pump is definitely on it's way out & is what is causing the noise. Bit of a relief that it's only this and not something more serious. Have got it booked in for next week for a new water pump.

[Madasafish]

Thanks for advising us.