[Donnie Terrell]

I have a 1990 mazda protege. It is making a loud,shrieking, grinding noise near the belts and pulleys. First I thought it could be the idler pulley on the AC belt so I removed the belt but still heard the noise. I have an aftermarket service manual which says if you hear similiar noises coming from the alternator you have a bad bushing, I guess they mean bearing. The book also says that a bad water pump could make such noises. The same belt runs both the water pump and alternator so how can I tell which it is after removing the belt? I could change the noise by changing the RPM's. Before the engine warmed up it mostly done it at low RPM's and the noise could be eliminated by giving it gas but after the engine was warm it made this noise constantly and I could see smoke coming from the general area when the noise was at it's worst. I think I would rather it be the alternator. Can anyone please help me? Thanks!!!!