But the thing is, it makes the same (I think) noise when warm I think too, but not at idle and only when accelerating.
Taking it for a long drive today and will test it.

irc said:

I had an alternator squeal for a couple of months on a family 1.1.
Changed the belt as it was the cheapest option, but no change.
Got another alternator to put it, and then the squeal stopped completely.
Hasn't come back in over 2 years/25k miles.

Car had been sat around for a while, only doing 2 short journeys once a week.

Still, it's good to have a spare one hanging around in case it's needed.

Click to expand...

Alternator squeal isn't always the belt - it could also be an alternator bearing, though I'd describe it as a whine rather than a squeal. Belt slipppage is most noticeable just after starting from cold, when the load on the alternator is greatest (and putting on the lights & HRW may make it worse); bearing whine is more likely to be continuous when the engine is running.

Alternator bearings can be replaced, if you can source one; sometimes lubricating can revive them (even though they're supposedly sealed for life). Much cheaper than replacing the alternator complete.

To the OP; it's important to definitively identify the cause of this unusual noise before throwing time and money at replacing stuff. You can't really do this from a keyboard; you need to have the car in front of you.

Running the car briefly with the alternator belt removed can eliminate some possibilities.

Another relatively simple thing to do is to check the gearbox oil level. If it is a gearbox bearing, often the associated seal will also fail, leading to a loss of oil.

Here is a link to where I’ve uploaded the video on Google drive - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OCgLccajlbBRuqJdIbAwm1JIPJ18UPUa/view?usp=drivesdk

Have a listen?
That noise sounds the same as the other noise I described, I think! I’ll know for sure later when I go for a longer drive

I did find that when driving and it made the noise, it’d get louder and louder and then very abruptly stop completely.

That sounds more like a chirp than a squeal or a whine. It does sound like belt noise, but as I've said, hard to be sure from a clip. It doesn't sound like a clutch or gearbox bearing.

Sometimes sparing use of a silicone spray lubricant in the vicinity of the belt (definitely don't try using WD40, though) can help identify, and sometimes even cure, the cause of noise like this.

V belts on 1970's Fords were particularly prone to this sort of thing. I used to carry a can of silicone spray in the back of the Capri.

But why would it make a similar noise when driving and stop when the clutch is pressed in?
I have some silicone spray, so I’ll try it later and see. Just seems odd that the noise comes and goes in certain driving conditions

varesecrazy said:

Did the bearing take anything with it..?

Or just replaced the clutch kit..

Click to expand...

Hi All

Our 1.2 petrol (mechanically same engine type) the bearing had been making noise for some months that was only there when idling. what happened was it we could suddenly not release the clutch completely as the bearing began to fall apart, I took it apart and all the little ball bearings fell out as i took the gearbox off,
So we changed the complete clutch kit while it was apart at the cost of £46(eurocarparts on a discount day), no labour to pay thankfully my kids just had to keep me going with coffee and bacon sandwiches, its their car.
we did discover after changing the clutch that the bearing in the gearbox far end of the input shaft was still making noise though, so we found a replacement gearbox for £125 and fitted that 4 months later on(more bacon and coffee)
we ran it with new gearbox oil to flush fo 3 months then changed the oil to new fresh oil,
All drives lovely except for the recent 0420 code issue that all the very kind guys and gals here helped me through but now sorted.


based on your recent findings(havnt watched the video yet) i would look at all the pulleys and bearing of the alternator end of the engine, maybe remove the fan belt and push pull all the pulleys. I am assuming as the car is a 1.1 then you don't have aircon. the water pump is run from the cam belt so you could start the car without the fan belt on for a couple of minutes, do keep your fingers out while its running please.

Is the Hayne’s manual for this car worthwhile? I’m happy to do those bits mentioned above, but it’s just knowing the little hints and tips for it!

Otherwise I’m stuck with shipping it off to my local garage

First port of call is to spray a little bit of silicone lubricant spray on the belt and see if it quietens down.
Also need to work out if both noises are the same (the one at idle and the one whilst accelerating)


(Yes, no air con)
I also have no record of a cam belt and water pump change!

Hi Gman

ive just seen video

i would probably try and find a used alternator from a 1.1 and fit it with a new belt at the same time, relatively easy fix and not too costly, most awkward bit is holding the tension back on the springs of the tensioner to get the belt off/on but if t you use one spanner and add a tube or bar to extend it its easier. glad you haven't got an air con pump in the way

i hope that helps

in the meantime lubricating the bearings might give you a signal to rest your worries.

Tim

Hi Gman

when the belt is off you can probably turn the alternator pulley with your fingers and if the bearings have had it you will feel it while you turn it.

With no info on cambelt/waterpump replacement please consider this replacement too, the parts are about £90 for waterpump/tensioner/belt

Tim

After another quick run, I’m fairly sure the noise is the same and is from the alternator/belt.
The noise in the video is what happens when I drive the car too.
I’ll look out my silicone spray/get some more.
The belt looks fairly new (I think) so possibly a bearing in the alternator.
Do these cars have an alternator clutch pulley? I’ve had those go on my past 2 cars and they make a right racket.

I’ll get the cam belt and water pump done at a garage I think, I can probably manage the alternator, but not sure about the cambelt + water pump!

Hi gman

i've had a look around at alternators and the pulleys seem to be very small and i would be surprised if it had a clutch in the pulley.

used are about £25 to £45 and new from £70 depending on exactly which one you need.

Tim

Spraying the belt with silicone spray made no difference to the noise it seems

If your getting the cam belt done at the garage ask them to quote the extra for the alternator while its in their workshop. shouldn't take more than half hour extra while its apart.

Okay. Is there a sure fire way of checking that it is the alternator making the noise? Can I unplug the connector to the alternator whilst the car is running?

Gman88667733 said:

I did find that when driving and it made the noise, it’d get louder and louder and then very abruptly stop completely.

Click to expand...

Exactly the same symptoms as my 1.1 alternator.
Dipping the clutch often stopped it too because the engine speed changed. But it could make the noise with the clutch up or down, and would just stop by itself.

As above, normally you can hear alternator bearing grumble, but not always. Mine didn't.
I had a spare belt, so as I needed to take the old one off to check the alternator (No graunches, stickiness, etc) I fitted the new one. Made no difference so next up was an alternator swap.
However, it self-healed before I had a chance to swap it, and as I don't believe in changing things without a reason, left it alone.
Was probably the shock of getting regular use, in my case. And that regular use is probably what fixed it.

Been on a 25 mile drive.
It made the noise when cold for 5 minutes and then couldn’t reproduce it loudly for the rest of the drive. Strange!
It very quietly did it sometimes, but not like it is in the video.

It does sound like it could be a slipping belt to me. The squeal caused by this can come and go as the belt slips and grips, depending on engine speed, ambient temperature, moisture etc.

Problem is if the belt has been slipping for any amount of time, this will 'polish' the inside of the belt, making it more likely to slip, and hard to stop slipping without replacing the belt.

Disconnecting the wiring from the alternator won't make any difference as the alternator will still be driven by the belt.

If silicone spray didn't stop it, best way to check would be to temporarily remove the belt / belt tension from the alternator.

Gman88667733 said:

Been on a 25 mile drive.
It made the noise when cold for 5 minutes and then couldn’t reproduce it loudly for the rest of the drive. Strange!
It very quietly did it sometimes, but not like it is in the video.

Click to expand...

I'm wondering just where the silicone spray ended up. Perhaps it got to the parts other sprays can't reach .

Seriously, it's the one thing you changed since you last drove it. I'd say there's a reasonable chance this is alternator related.

Oh lord..

Ok simple test time

The bottom crank pulley is held on with 3 bolts ..AND A TINY LOCATING PIN..

It should take all of 5 mins to undo the 3 bolts..pulley drops..with alternator belt..

Unhook belt refit pulley.

Spin alternator by hand.. is it smooth ..or lumpy

Flick it to spin past.. got a rough..
or whiney noise

Inconclusive..:??

Start engine.. ..should be squeal free.

There are many GUIDES on here covering these jobs on the FIRE motors

1.1 cinq-sei section
1.2 punto mk2 section

The motor has been around since .@1985

Nothing is new to this forum