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1990 Mazda Protegé Squealing In Timing Cover Area When Cold

The timing belt tensioner pulley may make a squealing noise from the timing cover area on cold startup. An updated tensioner with a thicker mounting bracket to eliminate vibration may be needed to solve the problem.

Affected Model Years

This issue affects Mazda Protegé model years 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, .

44 people reported this problem

  • 1990 192,000 Miles
    As soon as I start my car it starts a really loud squealing
  • 1990 158,000 Miles
    belt sqeals when starting in extremely cold times. Belt has broken twice when below zero temperature. replaced adjuster and it has helped some but broken another time after that as well. temperature was below zero when it broke.
  • 1990 190,000 Miles
    Oil leak suspected in wearing down / loosing alternator belt, eventually breaking altogether.
  • 1990 250,000 Miles
    A couple of times I have had to replace the belt.
  • 1990 207,437 Miles
    Squealing after about the first 100 yards. Not fixed yet.
  • 1990 150,000 Miles
    Tightened alternator play
  • 1990 100,000 Miles
    has not been fixed yet
  • 1990 130,000 Miles
    My car usually squeals during a cold startup. I just replaced the belts and the squealing persists. From reading this, I am now suspecting that its the timing belt.

Mazda Protegé 1990 Common Problems