Rep Power: 0

I have a 2001 Honda Civic with 218,000 miles on it. I was given this car back in 2012 and up until that point the car had two owners. One of which was my sister...who doesn't believe anything is wrong with a car until it's not running.

Anyway, I've had issues with mechanics in this town and a good sized town/city is 45 minutes plus away. I took my car back to a mechanic that I had issues with the work in first place because my brother inlaw and his cousin both said give the guy a second chance he'll do you right. WRONG!

The reason I took the car in this time was because I accelerated from a stop sign and all of a sudden the car started idling extremely rough. I pulled over turned the engine off and checked the oil and looked to see if anything was visibly going on under the hood. I didn't see anything so I limped the three miles into work. I called the shop to see if they could scope it immediately and luckily they were able to do so. He said that it was misfiring on cylinders two and four. I asked that while he was fixing those if we could also replace the timing belt since I knew it hadn't been replaced. He suggested the water pump be replaced too and I agreed. While they were replacing those they also found a coil that was out and replaced that.

I got the car back and noticed that evening when driving home that between 2500 and 3000 rpms that I could hear a screeching noise that would last a few seconds. The screeching almost sounds like a very faint belt noise but I'm not 100% sure that's what it is.

Anyway, I take it back that next week and tell them what's going on and they said to bring it back and they'll check it out. I left it while I went to work and picked it up to find a "fixed" car wasn't fixed. Now whatever altering they did had changed the screech to 2000 to 2500 rpms. I took it right back and asked what they tightened the timing belt tensioner bolt to and he told me 45lbs. Well that ticked because he was the one that supposedly worked on my car. I made another appointment for a week out. However, I drove it three miles and the car sounded worse. It was now having a whining noise that was pretty consistent. I called them back and made the appointment for the next day. When I walked in and dropped the keys off I told the lady I wanted the tensioner tightened to spec and it wasn't 45lbs.

The owner calls me the next day and assures me the timing belt isn't messed up and that the guy had to have tightened it to 32lbs because there's no half increments. I said whatever, I just don't want there to be an issue with the timing belt a couple thousand miles down the road. He said that the sound could be coming from the alternator belt because it looked kind of worn. I said ok I'll have it replaced.

I've had it replaced and then they called and said the power steering belt is right there and may as well change that too. I agreed. Well I picked the car up drove the mile back to work. I went to leave work and turned the wheel and when I did it was like I hit something and the car screeched. This I knew was a belt. I turned the wheel all the way to left and it sat there and screeched. I turned the car off and looked under the hood. When I pushed on the belt it was loose. I was able to push the belt in about an 1-1.5 inches. I'm sure if I tried I could of pulled it off the pulley. Needless to say I went back to the mechanic first thing...matter of fact I was waiting for them to open. He apologized and said he doesn't know how it happened. Blah blah blah....

So today, the car still has a slight whining noise (yes maybe the power steering pump is going out) however, it also does that screeching noise. It's pretty consistent at 2000 to 3000 rpms in almost every low gear. Mind you this noise only happens when accelerating, and not when punching it. I can't make it happen while in gear and brake on. The noise is also lasting longer than before.

I'm sorry for the book but I kind of wanted people to know the background. Oh and yes I've learned my lesson NOT to use this mechanic again. The only reason this car went back to him was because he was suppose to be the ONLY person working on my car. Then once the timing belt was replaced I found out three other people worked on it.

I'm a female but I'm not dumb and I do listen to what is new/different with my car. I've had lots of experience with power steering pumps, alternators, fuel pumps, struts, brakes, etc issues. This noise is new and I find it odd that it's started after they've worked on it. I don't know if it's the timing belt causing the noise or not.

Thank you for anyone that takes the time to read this. I greatly appreciate it.

 
Rep Power: 208

What kind of a moron can't even tighten a drive belt properly?

i would suggest taking a video with sound so we can hear the noise,

from what you have described i would suspect its one of your pulleys making the noise, that is assuming your belts are NOW tightened properly,

you don't sound like you are able to do this (no offense) but if it was me, i would remove the drive belts one by one and drive the car (a short distance) and see if the noise goes away, that could narrow down where the noise is coming from,

 
Rep Power: 0

I tried taking a video with the sound yesterday but it didn't work. The sound can only be made while driving the vehicle and it is lasting longer now...I can hear it at about 20mph.

I asked him about the pulleys and he said they all seemed ok.

However, I'm thinking the sound is coming from the front right side of the car. All the belts are on the left side.

I couldn't do any worse than the guys that have worked on my car. I've changed alternators, starters and rear differentials before lol if that counts for much. Oh yeah and of course batteries and such...plus I can read instruction manuals. :-P

 
Rep Power: 517

Right side? Brake wear indicator squeal, maybe?
Does it change or go away when you use the brakes?
Backing plate rubbing a brake disc?

They may be employed just about anywhere.

 
Rep Power: 0

The noise immediately goes away when let off the gas. I guess I've never really heard a backing plate noise before so I'm not sure.