Hey guys, I just started having a new problem with my 81 zx. For the past week or so, there has been a squealing sound for the first second or two after I shift into a gear. It happens only sometimes, and it only lasts for about a second. It does not seem to affect power or anything else that I can notice. But it is pretty loud. I will try to get a video of it sometime today. The squeal lasts for longer when the car is cold, but can happen after I'm sitting at a light with the clutch pressed in.

I have a 2+2 5 speed N/A. I haven't really done any work on the clutch (tried and failed to replace a leaky master cylinder). The car has just under 91k miles.

 

The squeal is coming from the transmission or engine bay? You sure it's not the fan belts? Loose fan belts will squeal in the cold.

 

My guess would be engine bay, but I haven't had a chance to try and track it down. Sorry for my ignorance, but if it were just a loose fan belt, it seems like it would happen when the car is idling as well as when it is in gear. It only happens when the car is first put into gear. I guess it did happen once before right after I had cleaned the engine bay and washed off all of the degreaser, but that time as well, it was after I put the car in gear.

I will try to take a video. I will be driving it in the next hour, so I will try to update then.

EDIT: of course, it is not making the sound today. Will update when I can.

 

Sorry about the quality of the video, but it was (obviously) shot at night. You can clearly hear the squealing noise that I was talking about. I noticed tonight that it is not necessarily when I shift gears. The video was taken while I was stopped at a stoplight and just revving the engine with the clutch pushed in all of the way. The reason I thought it was tied to shifting gears earlier is because I usually step on the gas to when letting out the clutch. Anyways, please listen and help! I am hoping it really is just the belt that Nismo mentioned.

Video

 

Alternator belt loose or fan clutch?

 

Still pretty hard to tell from two quick squeals from inside the cockpit. If you want to drive it up to my place in Lehi, I'll check it out.

 

I might take you up on that! I would love to see your ride in person, and last time you helped me with the car you saved me from $500 diagnostic.

 

Unfortunately my Z is perma-garaged at my shop in Bountiful... it only sees the light on warm sunny days. This afternoon I'd probably have time, or on Thursday afternoon.

 

Well, you guys were right!

The alternator belt was loose. NismoPick was able to spot the problem after just a couple of minutes. Tightened the belt, and now the squealing has stopped. Thanks guys!

 

w00t!

Glad the fixes were easy.