I'm getting an occasional high pitched whine from the engine.
Seems to happen mainly when:
- the choke's out/ engine warming up.
- first / second gear.

I'm sure its not the gearbox, because it happens even when the clutch is depressed and car standing at junctions. Although annoying it doesn't seem to happen when first starting the car up - only after I've started to drive a little bit.

The whine comes and goes lasting ~5-10 seconds.

Has anyone got any ideas where to start looking?

Cambelt - too tight?

Best to get the in-person opinion of someone who has replaced at least six cambelts for this one, as it's difficult to quantify the tension measurement in words... I've found that it is quite easy to over-tension and many funny noises result. Some say that the belt should just twist through 90-degrees with thumb-and-forefinger, but I sometimes find that's too tight. Or, maybe the tensioner bearing is loose/dry.

Incidentally IMHO the cambelt being over-tight tallies with the whine not being there when the engine is first started - the engine 'grows' slightly as it warms, making the belt slightly tighter still.

Another possibility is the alternator bearings or possibly the water pump. Maybe try using a long, very large screwdriver with handle pressed to one ear - or buy an actual 'mechanics stethoscope' - to locate the noisy component.

-Alex