(T) 2004 Panda 1.1 active - Whining issue?

Okay. I’ll get it booked in for the next week or so if possible.

Sent my local garage an email for a quote a the soonest date possible that they could do it

All booked for Thursday this week. £264 all in all. Not too bad, not the best. But at least then it’s done!

You never know, if the water pump is the culprit for the loud squeal, at least changing it will sort that too? Kills two birds with one stone...

My money is on the water pump. You don't have air con so it can't be the clutch and alternators only make nasty noises when they've seized up and raised the warning light.

Okay. Well I suppose we will see on Thursday!. I assume a straight replacement would cure the issue immediately?

probability favours slack belt.


mine needs adjusting every year or so. On a new belt. There's no tensioner on the models without aircon. New belts stretch and wear down a little. Settle down after a while. other car with old belt has never needs adjusting in 3 years but is just starting to slip

It definitely seems to crank a lot before starting first thing in the morning. After that it is instant. Hopefully spark plugs and a good service will help this a bit.
If not, the battery was put in at the start of 2015, so it’s about the normal age of one to start having issues, at least in my experience.

That's possible but they don't usually screech. I had a BMW bike that used a car type alternator and non-adjustable drive belt. To be fair that did make a racket one day, but the cause was alternator. The stator had corroded and split causing the rotor to foul. It went suddenly from from OK to not usable. When opened up, the belt was as fine with no signs of any slippage. The alternator was toast with a badly cracked case.

Changed the oil and filter this evening before it goes in for the cam belt and water pump tomorrow.
After changing it all, I let it warm up a tad and then re-checked and the oil already looks a tad more brownish again. I suppose it needs a really good thrashing and then a couple of regular changes to clean it all up?
Looks like there is a slight old leak from the gearbox as well, but on a car this age, I’m not gonna think about that..!!! (I may be wrong though, gonna clean it up and keep an eye on it)

I suggest you buy a Forte advanced formula motor flush, add it to the oil and run the car for 30 minutes before changing the oil and filter.
The Forte brand is only sold to garages but you can buy it, from garages who sell through ebay/amazon.
It is the best stuff.

Since I’ve just changed the oil. Shall I add it to the next oil change in 1000 miles after I run it for a bit?

Yes, you might as well do some miles in it first, then add the flush, run the engine for 30-40 minutes then drain, then change filter and oil.
It will work wonders cleaning the engine, I first used it in the early 90s and have used it ever since, much better than the offerings from motorparts shops.

Wonderful.
Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll definitely do that.
After the cam belt and water pump tomorrow it’s going to get a good thrashing for a while to try and help too.

yes they do ? worse on start up and on I creasing revs.