Filter is...chirping?

[amandalou]

I have a biowheel filter (don't remember the model number - I think it's a 330). Anyway, the wheels are turning somewhat hesitantly. I noticed the other day that they weren't turning at all, so I took them out and cleaned the box part of the filter out, figuring there was just a snail or algae blocking things up or something. I didn't see anything, but they're turning now, so I guess that helped. The wheel on the right is stopping and starting, stopping and starting - I know this is common for biowheel filters, but with it being stopped for so long, I am concerned. The wheel on the left is turning constantly, but it's making a sort of chirp-chirp-chirp sound as it turns. It's been doing it for about 3 days. I have a small house. It's driving us nuts! Anybody know how to make it stop?

And as a side note, the tank is really cloudy now. I wonder, if the wheels weren't turning for several hours, say 24, would the bacteria die and have to do a mini cycle over again?

I appreciate any thoughts anybody's got on this!