Paranioa or real problem?

[alistair260661]

I've not had the car out much over the past weeks as its been in for a respray, so today I've been putting lights etc back onto the body. In doing so I've moved the car (hence starting it up - easily!).., but I have an awful squeal / screach from the front end of the engine, which varies with the engine speed.

This noise has occured from time to time before, and I put it down to a slipping belt (power steering or fan belt), and I did nothing about it, but it is far worse today......

What I wanted to ask the experts is, am I just panicing?What does a worn, about to failalternator, fan or steering pumpsound like.........................?

My issue is obviously trying to identify where the squeal is coming from..... I will buy new belts (promise) but I just want some reassurance that I'm not looking at a bigger job/bill.....................

Thanks

[Andrew S]

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Run water over the pulleys one by one as the engine is running and the noise should go. If so and doing one by one, you will know which belt to replace.

[alistair260661]

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so you think it to be belts rather that some expensive bearings?

[peter f]

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Hi Alistair,
Please ensure it's not the bottom hose jubilee clip catching on the alternator pulley.
Mine did this, and I only found out after I had removed the alternator (s**t job) and taken it in for rebuild. The guy noticed a shiny section on the pulley, and suggested something had been rubbing - honest guy!
Mine sounded like the engine was about to seize when it first occured!!

Good luck,

Peter f

[SGN]

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If it's not the belts,it sounds like the viscous fan.Mine howled from time to time before I sussed what it was (with forum help)Spin the fan blades,it shouldn't turn more than about 3/4 turn, if it keeps turning it's knackered,also grip the fan blades and check if there is any play in the bearing.
If it's worn out you need to get it sorted asap, they have been known to come off taking the radiator with it.

Cheers
Steve

[alistair260661]

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peter f wrote:

Hi Alistair,
Please ensure it's not the bottom hose jubilee clip catching on the alternator pulley.
Mine did this, and I only found out after I had removed the alternator (s**t job) and taken it in for rebuild. The guy noticed a shiny section on the pulley, and suggested something had been rubbing - honest guy!
Mine sounded like the engine was about to seize when it first occured!!

Good luck,

Peter f

interesting one - thanks will check

[alistair260661]

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SGN wrote:

If it's not the belts,it sounds like the viscous fan.Mine howled from time to time before I sussed what it was (with forum help)Spin the fan blades,it shouldn't turn more than about 3/4 turn, if it keeps turning it's knackered,also grip the fan blades and check if there is any play in the bearing.
If it's worn out you need to get it sorted asap, they have been known to come off taking the radiator with it.

Cheers
Steve

Will check this too - hope its not this - it sounds very cheery - my paranioa has just gone up a notch or two....................... If it is the fan, can you actually buy new ones??? I think I read somewhere about problems with replacement viscious couplings - i.e. all the replacements were crap..............

[SGN]

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They are around £80 and a couple of hours to fit,not a bad job.I think all the couplings are pretty good now, just buy from Paddocks or any of the reputable suppliers.

[Andy Rundell]

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if you want to rule out components you can always disconnect the alternator and power steering belts in turn and see if the noise goes - checks both belts and the alternator bearing. If you alternator is still in the original location then do check the jubilee clip isn't catch as mentioned earlier.

if you still have the noise, the money will be on the viscous

...........Andy

[richardthestag]

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Last Nov mine was making a horrid noise, it wasn't belts, fan, nor the alternator kissing the bottom rad jubilee clip.

removed both belts and noise went away, PAS belt back on and no noise.

Removed the alternator and found that the front pully was now in 4 parts, no matter how much I tightened the pulley nut, would the parts tighten up against the alternator shaft. Fixed it with a nice big washer which fitted under the securing nut but over the central shaft.

While it was all apart took the opportunity to use my HRS alternator bracket and move it to a less hostile area of the engine bay.

[ampotter]

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I would also suspect the viscous coupling. I had an intermittent loud grinding noise from the front of the car. If it is the viscous coupling thenthe fancould feelloose, ie it will rock on the coupling bearing.Should you need to replace the coupling thiswill provide an idealopportuntiy to flush out the cooling system etc.

Andrew

[alistair260661]

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oh wonderful... lots to check and as you rule things out escalating solution costs (and hassle). It will have to wait, far too cold this weekend and yet more snow falling.