Hi everyone.

I recently got a 1998 Mazda B2500 with the 4 cylinder engine and 5 speed transmission, to learn auto mechanics.

I just wanted to ask the more experienced owners on here for their opinion on what my engine should sound like. I find that the engine is pretty noisy and has a constant whirring sound but I am not familiar with these trucks, so I am not completely sure. I took 2 videos to show everyone.




Does this engine sound pretty normal? The belts seemed pretty tight, could it possibly be misaligned?

The engine pulls pretty strong and the transmission shifts well. I just want to make sure the truck is in good condition. Thanks everyone.

 

Simplest test is to remove fan belt on cold engine and start it up, if sound is gone then check all the accessory pulleys, one is causing the noise.
You can only run the engine for 2 minutes without the water pump, but that's more than long enough to tell if noise is engine or pulley issue.

If you have mechanical radiator fan then it's fan clutch can also make that noise if it is stuck on full lock all the time.
Normal operation of fan clutch on cold start would be to make a "whirring" noise for 5 to 10 second then it will unlock and noise goes away.
To test start cold engine, then shut it off after 1 minute, open the hood and spin the fan blade should spin easily and when released it will continue about a 1/4 revolution.
If it is hard to spin and stops when released then fan clutch is bad