(rite this is for my sister, arnt i kind lol) right iv been in her car today its been stood for 4-6 months (punto mk1 60sx selecta) and when she drives there is this quiet (but load enough to drive you crazy), whistling/squealing kind of noise coming from the engine compartment(we think, but maybe not) but doesnt seem to be the auto gearbox but maybe cos im no expert. thanx for anyhelp, hope it dont blow up soon.

sounds like cam belt tensioner bearing,

u fink so? cos the cambelt snapped she had work done on the engine(valves i fink and obviosly the belt and wot evr else)

Can you tell where the noise is coming from when stationary with the bonnet up. It could be several things with it having stood still for a while.

Simple aux belt slip, dry bearing on alternator, rad fan or similar or something nasty like a cam belt tensioner.

It would really help if you could give us an area of the engine to think about or even if you only hear it when moving, e.g. rusty/dirty brakes can take a 100 miles or so to burn clean.

myfiatunoLHDizdabest said:

u fink so? cos the cambelt snapped she had work done on the engine(valves i fink and obviosly the belt and wot evr else)

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if the tensioner bearing wasn't replaced, then proubly is that,
sounds like she got ripped off aswell because its a safe enging there is no way pistons can smash into open valves if the belt brakes, unlike some other engines a garage tried that on with a mate of mine, when his workes punto snapped cam belt, they quoted hin £650 said they would have to strip engine an check valves, 1 phone call from me and it was less than £100

o rite cheers(cost her £365 and were a friend of the garage so thats with a discount) and it is only when moving, cos its stopped at traffic lights.

myfiatunoLHDizdabest said:

o rite cheers(cost her £365 and were a friend of the garage so thats with a discount) and it is only when moving, cos its stopped at traffic lights.

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nice friend

My Punto used to whistle; I changed the belt tensioner which made no difference; then changed the water pump which got rid of the racket. Now it's squealing again but a slightly different noise. It's the alternator bearings this time - I've run it without the alternator belt on and its quiet. Thing is that I can neither afford nor be a*sed to replace the alternator I might take it out and dribble a bit of engine oil into the bearings and see if that shuts it up for a bit though.

I would say almost certainly cambelt tensioner pulley. Note: PULLEY. The bearing in them goes for a pastime. Shouldn't be too much to change it. I can't remmeebr how much mine cost but it wasn't much or I'd remember! The old one is so worn I can barely turn it with my hand, it should spin freely of course. It will make an awful squealing sound, often intermittently.