Technical Alternator Belt - Whistle

OrangeSport · May 1, 2010

Had a whistle from the alternator / belt about 6 months ago. Only for the first few minutes of each drive. Went up and down with the revs. Was sorted by a new tensioner (and maybe bearing), but it's now back. I don't want to keep getting this done if it's just a "feature" of the engine.

Any views from anyone in the know....?

zanes · May 1, 2010

As you know, I had this issue at about the same time. There have been a few whispers from mine since, and it usually seems weather related; cold and dry sets it off.

Melanabb · May 3, 2010

I too had this on and off during winter. Now with the warmer weather is gone. I noticed it comes back if it is particularly cold in the mornings. Not much noticeable with two noisy children on board though...

OrangeSport · May 3, 2010

Thanks - yes, kids do drown it out!

Will leave it 'till service time if it doesn't get any worse..

Super Uwe · May 4, 2010

This was something that we took our car into the garage for a while back, however nothing was found.

Now the weather is warmer it doesn't happen much at all, but sometimes there's a little whistle, other times there's the "tambourine" noise which others have mentioned.

All in all, I'm happy enough that it's just a little quirk which comes and goes - at the end of the day we all know our 500's don't much like damp and cold do they

Baglady1990 · May 11, 2021

not sure this is the correct place for this (sorry admin) ive had a chirping for a long time but just getting round to it now it seems to be coming from down by the alternator... had a look this morning and it seems it may be coming from the drivebelt/tensioner

it looks like the belt is rubbing very slightly on the bottom larger pulley im assuming it should be dead centre but is rubbing to the right (looking down) I can see the ribbing on the tensioner and its starting to crack (rubber I assume)
sooooo im guessing its a replacement belt and tensioner.... obviously ive never done this before ive been looking and cant seem to find anything on the procedure anyone got any experience? or advice?

Baglady1990 · May 11, 2021

forgot to mention im ok at replacing the belt but the tensioner????

Baglady1990 · May 11, 2021

Ok done the belt .. took a chance!!
The belt was splitting all the way around I’ve no idea if it’s ever been changed
The noise isn’t as bad but still there like a ticking churning sound I’ve had a good look under there alternator looks ok .. so I’m wondering if it’s the bearings in something.....
might still be the tensioner as there are slight rubbing marks on edge of belt also

typecastboy · May 11, 2021

The belt has less damage than your jeans ????

Baglady1990 · May 11, 2021

typecastboy said:
The belt has less damage than your jeans ????

Oi you!! That’s fashion ? hope your not over doing it!

typecastboy · May 11, 2021

Baglady1990 said:
Oi you!! That’s fashion [emoji23] hope your not over doing it!

No I’m not but it’s very frustrating not being able to do anything. Signed off until the end of the week so might have to get stuck into seatbelts and pre tensioners tomorrow [emoji51]?*

Baglady1990 · May 11, 2021

typecastboy said:
No I’m not but it’s very frustrating not being able to do anything. Signed off until the end of the week so might have to get stuck into seatbelts and pre tensioners tomorrow [emoji51]?*

Yep it’s definitely crap! Just go slow n easy ? or it’s back to A&E!

Baglady1990 · May 12, 2021

New belt tensioner has arrived... now I understand how the old one comes off! My problem is.... access..... from what I’ve read I will need to slightly move the engine over a little
Where do I support the engine from underneath? I have a trolly jack and some wood will this do?
I just need to tilt to the side so I can get a ratchet in

typecastboy · May 12, 2021

I’ve not done one of these but I believe the tensioner is accessed from the wheel arch. I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

Baglady1990 · May 12, 2021

You can get to it from wheel well but the access is the same it’s defo an engine up or down job ugh

puntodeltathema · May 12, 2021

A trolley jack and a stout, wide bit of wood under the sump (to spread the load) is OK. Then undo the right-hand engine mount. You should then be able to lower or raise as required (don't go further than you need - I always worry about straining exhaust flexies and aircon pipes when moving engines around...)

Have you taken the wheelarch liner out though (and the metal brace piece?). You may find you can get in with a decent spanner if a socket and ratchet is too big.

Different models seem to have different fasteners for these tensioners - regular hex (as here), Torx and 6mm hex socket-headed screw. At least it's not the latter - they can round off quite easily which can be a right pain.

Bon chance.

Nick

Baglady1990 · May 12, 2021

puntodeltathema said:
A trolley jack and a stout, wide bit of wood under the sump (to spread the load) is OK. Then undo the right-hand engine mount. You should then be able to lower or raise as required (don't go further than you need - I always worry about straining exhaust flexies and aircon pipes when moving engines around...)

Have you taken the wheelarch liner out though (and the metal brace piece?). You may find you can get in with a decent spanner if a socket and ratchet is too big.

Different models seem to have different fasteners for these tensioners - regular hex (as here), Torx and 6mm hex socket-headed screw. At least it's not the latter - they can round off quite easily which can be a right pain.

Bon chance.

Nick

thanks Nick
Yes had the liner and brace off access to the belt is easy but the tensioner is a real pain!! Even if I could get a torx bit and spanner in there I wouldn’t be able to get the screw out far enough to remove it let alone install the new pulley m

It’s definitely going to be engine either up or down ... very scary as never done it before but so was taking my gear selector unit off to fit a new washer/seal but I did it!

As you can see in pics it’s a tight fit! But I’ll get it done!

Baglady1990 · May 13, 2021

Old one out new one in ?? had to jack up the engine this gave me a “bit” more space not enough for a socket but got a hex bit in and a small pair of mole grips on.
New tensioner came with a bolt so tightening was easier with a spanner!

All sounds good now!

Pugglt Auld Jock · May 13, 2021

I remember looking at Becky's when I did her cam belt and thinking "that looks a real sod to do" - You're "one up" on me now, I've never had to do one! May not be too long before I'm PMing you for advice at this rate! Jolly well done by the way!

Baglady1990 · May 13, 2021

Pugglt Auld Jock said:
I remember looking at Becky's when I did her cam belt and thinking "that looks a real sod to do" - You're "one up" on me now, I've never had to do one! May not be too long before I'm PMing you for advice at this rate! Jolly well done by the way!

Haha by all means Jock ? I’ve never jacked up an engine before but it was surprisingly straight forward I probably could have dropped it a little I may have had a little more space!? But I was a tad worried about it squishing bits like my exhaust flexi ?
I noticed also that when jacking up the engine there’s a bit more room to work on say an alternator..... that could well be a future job for me though I wretch at the thought of getting the top bolt out!
But thank you it’s another job well done ?

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