Aft'noon,

I've got a 55 plate WRX wagon with just over 100k on the clock. UK car.

It started whining on Thursday, the noise comes from the front of the car, gets worse with revs, and is engine speed related, not road speed related.

With the bonnet up, there's a bristly sound from the belt area.

I'm completely non-technical, and would appreciate ideas on diagnosis.

Thanks

 

Check the left hand seat, you probably left the wife in there

The cold weater sometimes shows up worn bearings. Get the belt idler and tension bearings checked. Check the bearings on the air con, alternator and power steering belt systems.

Pop the air con belt off and see if the noise goes away, similarly the power steering belt. If the noise is still present with both these off then it is probably timing belt related.

Check the fluid level in the power steering. Low fluid can make funny noises that vary with engine rpm/load.

Wouldn't recommend running it any distance till you know what it is.

 

as above it will be a risk if you use it especialy if it turns out to me timing belt related ,

easy enough to remove both front belts i would remove them , if the noise is still there then it is timing related so will be a roller or tensioner bearing