I drive an 08 Mazda3 and when I went to started it up after work yesterday I got this loud noise from the engine like wind rushing through something. I park in a garage so it was amplified a bit but I don't remember ever hearing that before. After I got home I could still hear it and I think it was coming from the drive belt area. Any ideas?

 

when you started the car up, was the air conditioner on or the windsheild defroster? Sometimes after you start it up and those things are on, the regular start up might sound different like more loud then usual for a couple seconds, but then should go back to normal sounding.

 

nope, nothing special is on. That day I started it and turned it off a couple times and nothing changed. Today I started it up again and it could still hear that noise.

 

could be the weather affecting it, i know that may sound weird. I have a 2008 Mazda3, and when it was real cold out in the middle of winter, my car was starting up differently then when it starts up when it is warmer outside. I actually did bring my car in to get it checked out, but everything looked good they said. Sometimes colder weather can put a strain on the battery a little bit.

 

Assuming you've been maintaining your belts and their tensions, get a long screwdriver or even a piece of hardwood dowel and earscope your accessories and idler pulleys near the drivebelt end with the engine idling;you may find the odd noise is originating from a bearing or bushing.
Be very careful; don't do this if you've got long hair, wear a tie or loose clothing: you could end up scalped, strangled, or engine- blended.