http://vocaroo.com/i/s1aKizLDIhsz

I have noticed that there's this, low squeaky kind of noise coming from the engine when I'm idling. It's really hard to explain, so I have posted a little recording of it. (Apologies for the slightly obscure format, my phone only records in m4a, VLC Player should be able to play it)

On the recording, it sounds more like a thunking noise, but it's not a clink, it's a really slow squeaking. Any ideas what it could be? Oil level is fine. It's about 5000km overdue for a service, but I wouldn't think that it would be acting up this quickly. My mum's car is currently 15,000km overdue, and it runs fine. 145,000 on the clock, by the way.

http://vocaroo.com/i/s1aKizLDIhsz

low squeaky kind of noise coming from the engine when I'm idling.

sounds more like a thunking noise

it's a really slow squeaking.



Not even going to play the recording. lol
It's either an old belt complaining, or one of the belt idlers.

How to tell?
Easy! Get a squirt bottle of water, spray lightly on the belts, if noise goes away get new belt(s).
If not . . . WD40 on each belt idler, at centre, one at a time - it will stop a dry bearing from making noise temporarily.

PS a service won't fix this, locate source of noise and replace defective part yourself or ask the mechanic to do so at the next service.

Not even going to play the recording. lol
It's either an old belt complaining, or one of the belt idlers.

How to tell?
Easy! Get a squirt bottle of water, spray lightly on the belts, if noise goes away get new belt(s).
If not . . . WD40 on each belt idler, at centre, one at a time - it will stop a dry bearing from making noise temporarily.

PS a service won't fix this, locate source of noise and replace defective part yourself or ask the mechanic to do so at the next service.

Max is right, its an age thing, but yeah I listened to the clip and it sounds like belt noise, max knows his stuff

Why do you have a car that is 5000 and 15, 000 overdue for a service? You should be changing oil every 10, 000kms man. 15, 000 overdue is rediculous. Why do you care about a noise but dont care about the most important thing in the engine?

I do care, I'm just unemployed at the moment, so I can't pay to get it serviced, and I'm not brave enough to change my own oil yet. I'll probably learn to do it after this first service. My mum's car is overdue because she doesn't care. The unemployment issue will be fixed soon, I hope. Interviews left and right.

Changing oil and filter is surprisingly simple if you haven't done it before, and very cheap. You can get good quality oil for $30 and a filter usually for under $10, $40 and a half hour to an hour of your time if you let it drain more and the engine will love it.
Do a youtube search of how to change engine oil, there should be some good examples with step by step instructions. 145,000km is still only young so if you look after it now you will still get a long life from it.