Bird chirping noise during acceleration

[Kosta0933]

Hello everyone. I have a 2023 mirage ES hatch with 22k miles. Upon cold start, then driving with my AC on (engine is still not fully warmed up), I hear a bird chirping noise (could be slight belt squeal) upon acceleration. Noise goes away in about 1 min or 2.

Any idea what it could be? Belt looks fine to me when I inspected it.

Thank you for any advice

[Eggman]

Check your air intake snorkel over the engine. It might be a little loose where it connects to the Helmholtz resonator box.

Here's some forum threads with more info:
Added Electrical tape around air intake snorkel and vibration
How to fix snorkel rattle permanently
Air intake design

A quick & easy approach would be to use a cable tie (zip tie) tightened around the connection to see if that helps. That way it can be easily disassembled if needed as opposed to using a silicone glue or electrical tape, both of which would leave a residue.

Or just enjoy the chirping as a characteristic of the Mirage design.

[Fummins]

Hello everyone. I have a 2023 mirage ES hatch with 22k miles. Upon cold start, then driving with my AC on (engine is still not fully warmed up), I hear a bird chirping noise (could be slight belt squeal) upon acceleration. Noise goes away in about 1 min or 2.

Any idea what it could be? Belt looks fine to me when I inspected it.

Thank you for any advice

Likely belt squeal. Might need to snug the belt up. The belts have to be manually tightened once in a while cause they don't have a spring loaded belt tensioner like most cars do.

I’d do what eggman suggested to help prevent wear and rattles down(slap a zip tie on the end of the snorkel to the wiring harness to stop it from bouncing/rattling) the road but I’d be surprised if that’s the cause of the noise you’re hearing.

[7milesout]

I've got 43k on mine now. I haven't touched the belt. Luckily, no noises as yet.

[Eggman]

Likely belt squeal. Might need to snug the belt up. The belts have to be manually tightened once in a while cause they don't have a spring loaded belt tensioner like most cars do.

I’d do what eggman suggested to help prevent wear and rattles down(slap a zip tie on the end of the snorkel to the wiring harness to stop it from bouncing/rattling) the road but I’d be surprised if that’s the cause of the noise you’re hearing.

Good point. Can this be tested by cycling the AC compressor on/off?

Upon cold start, then driving with my AC on (engine is still not fully warmed up), I hear a bird chirping noise (could be slight belt squeal) upon acceleration. Noise goes away in about 1 min or 2.

And maybe this is the alternator slipping while recharging the battery after an engine start.

It's looking more & more like the belt. Tightening the belt is cheap & easy - cheaper than a zip tie. Just don't over-tighten and break the tensioner bolt.

[Kosta0933]

First update: about 57° in my area of LA county. I confirmed the noise only happens upon turning on my A/C when mirage is still cold.

[Fummins]

Get a 14mm deep socket and a 12mm. It takes 2 mins to tighten the belt. Loosen off the nut at the bottom of the alternator below the pulley(14mm or 9/16-same thing), loosen off the 12mm nut at the top of alternator, tighten the bolt facing the rear of car. I do it with the car running, ac and all accessories on. Tighten the bolt a bit at a time, watch the top of the belt where it goes from the alternator to the crank pulley(bottom rearmost), it's probably flapping up and down. Snug up belt til it stops bouncing. If you're getting near the end of the travel on the tensioner bracket replace the belt.

When they're a little loose or worn they make more noise when it's cold and/or humid out.

[Eggman]

Good pictures here: How to remove and replace belt

Hey Kosta0933 please let us know what fixes this. Solutions are very much appreciated on this forum.

[Kosta0933]

Sorry I’ve been a little late guys I’ve been busy with work. I will tackle the belt this weekend and let you guys know. Thank you again guys

[Kosta0933]

Get a 14mm deep socket and a 12mm. It takes 2 mins to tighten the belt. Loosen off the nut at the bottom of the alternator below the pulley(14mm or 9/16-same thing), loosen off the 12mm nut at the top of alternator, tighten the bolt facing the rear of car. I do it with the car running, ac and all accessories on. Tighten the bolt a bit at a time, watch the top of the belt where it goes from the alternator to the crank pulley(bottom rearmost), it's probably flapping up and down. Snug up belt til it stops bouncing. If you're getting near the end of the travel on the tensioner bracket replace the belt.

When they're a little loose or worn they make more noise when it's cold and/or humid out.

So don’t tighten the bolt that’s normally used? The one facing the front of the car that brings the alternator up?

And thanks Fummins for this info I really appreciate it.

Edit to add* I may have read it wrong, you meant the tension bolt facing towards me yes? The other 12mm bolt that brings up the alternator?