I have a 98 DX Hatchback w/manual trans, the car runs fine but has had a hi-pitch squeal since I purchased it several months ago. The noise is much like you would expect from a failing water pump or slipping fan belt but has proven to be neither of those. It is present whenever I accelerate or otherwise have the car under load (going up hill). While I know that noise direction is deceiving but the noise appears to come from the passenger side front and is not present when the car is not in gear and under load. This is my basis for concluding that it's neither the water pump or the fan belt.
Would like to know if any of the membership has run into a problem like; what it turned out to be and how it was cured.
Thanks in advance, Bljacque.

 

Make sure all your belts are tight first.Take of all the drive belts and run the engine. If the noise gos away its not a problem with your t-belt, t-belt tensioner or water pump. Turn the engine off spin your alternator, power steering, ac compressor and ac compressor belt tensioner by hand see if thy squeal or feel ruff like a bad bearing. You can go a step further by taking only one belt off at a time and see if it gos away to help narrow it down.