There has been a very obnoxious whining/whistling coming from my engine. I've checked all the vacuum lines, the air filter and in the process replaced both of my belts. This sound appears to be coming from one of my belts that gets louder upon acceleration. It sounds like the alternator belt, but I'm obviously lost on this one. Loosening/ tightening were attempted as well, but no dice. I've been ignoring my car sounding like a UFO for a few months now and it hasn't gotten any worse...or less annoying. Would this issue have anything to do with a loss in power when accelerating? (that could be a completely different issue.) 87 gl 3-door 5speed

run some wax on the belt. or just spray it with WD40.   If that doesn't silence it , then most likely a the bearings in the alternator it getting ready to fail.

It could be bearings in the alt, or one of the idlers. Do not ignore!

 

Get a piece of 1/2 vinyl tubing a few feet long . Hold one end near an ear, point the other to various engine parts / areas. Will help localize the source. Be careful not to get it tangled in the fan or belts!

Timing belt idlers can fail and get noisy also. Do not ignore.

Timing belt idlers can fail and get noisy also. Do not ignore.

If you already know how to loosen the alternator belt, just go one step further and pop the belt off. Thats a quick and easy way to answer with confidence whether its associated with the alternator or not (or other accessories run by the same belt)

It takes a few times to start the car/keep it running. It normally idles at 1 grand, But when it is trying to stay running(cold start) the volts fluctuate and lights flicker. once the car keeps an idle, the alternator seems to work just fine. Mystery to me but I was wondering if these problems may be connected