Whirring/whooing noise between 20&40mph

2001 Fiat Punto 1.2 manual
Car: Fiat Punto
Year: 2001
Variant: 1.2 manual
Categories: Gearbox & Clutch
recently there has been a loud whirring or whooing noise every time I'm accelerating between 20mph and 40mph etc. I have read it could be a timing belt tensioner but I would like to know how long before it breaks altogether, at this point will the car still be drivable and roughly how much would this cost to get fixed?
Problem added: Dec 2, 2014 (9 years ago)
Do not drive the car if that is the diagnosis as failure could cause engine damage which will be expensive.
Answered Dec 2, 2014 (9 years ago)
Would have thought if it was a belt tensioner it would have been there all the time ?
Answered Dec 4, 2014 (9 years ago)

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