General Fiat Bravo squeal on startup

[liamsteeth]

Hello,

I'm hoping you can help or advise. I've got a 2008 Fiat Bravo 1.4 Dynamic.

I've had a noise coming from my engine, a second or 2 after startup for the last year or so. It goes away in warmer weather but with autumn arriving it's back again. Initially I replaced the belt and tensioner as that needed replacing anyway, but the noise still happens as before. It doesn't happen at all.after the engine is warm. It does sound like a belt slipping, but the noise seems to be happening from the opposite passengers side of the engine....which leads me to believe it's more serious.

I've uploaded a couple of vids to youtube.

[ame]https://youtu.be/BQj5rCllY0Q[/ame]

[ame]https://youtu.be/BNzY3Xgaboc[/ame]

Any advice would be amazing.

Thanks, Pete

 

[Arpad]

I've got the same engine,mine makes a grinding noise after start up on colder days,I believe it's the starter motor cog won't pull back quick enough after starting up. I'll replace it in the next couple of weeks,and shall see.. hope it helps

 

[liamsteeth]

Hello, thanks for replying.....do you know where it's located? Is it just the whole starter motor that needs replacing? I'll try and do the same, if you have a part reference then that would be very helpful...thanks, Pete

 

[Mgasp]

hi, it´s a quick fix. I do this job almost every day and take less than 1 hour on a lift, take off the starter motor and get some light grease or oil inside the gears, there are too dry, take also a look on the brushes since the stater is out of the car.
be carefull not to grease the electrical parts, those needs to be dry.

 

[F123C]

As well as what Mgasp ^^ has suggested, I'd suggest testing the operation of the starter motor before you refit it to the car.

This can be done quite simply - connect a jumper cable from the negative (earth) terminal of the car battery to the body of the starter motor e.g. clamp around one of the mounting lugs, connect the positive of the battery to the main (large) terminal on the starter motor.

Now using an old screwdriver, short between the large terminal and the small terminal on the starter motor - this will throw out the drive gear and cause the starter to rotate. Don't do this for more than a few seconds. Just so you know, there will be some sparking when you make the final connection, but you're unlikely to die

You can also check the operation of the starter solenoid only i.e. to ensure that the solenoid and drive gear are returning promptly when the power is removed - to do this, apply power only to the small terminal, this will energise the solenoid and cause the drive gear to move forward into the engaged position without causing the motor to rotate. There will be only minimal sparking caused when doing this as much less current will be flowing. Again, you're unlikely to die.

If you do the above tests before any cleaning/lubrication, you may actually be able to duplicate the noise you're complaining of and identify exactly where it's coming from. As well as lubricating the gears, make sure you get some oil into the bush on the nose of the starter motor i.e. where the tip of the armature shaft runs, this can cause a noise sometimes.

Al.

 

[liamsteeth]

Thanks guys, really appreciated.

I don't have access to a lift, so presumably if I jack the front up I can access it? Also, in terms of location...whereabouts is it....the battery side of the engine?

I'll give this a go at the weekend!!

 

[Pickwick]

Thanks guys, really appreciated.

I don't have access to a lift, so presumably if I jack the front up I can access it? Also, in terms of location...whereabouts is it....the battery side of the engine?

I'll give this a go at the weekend!!

I've not done this job myself but the starter is on the battery (UK passenger) side of the engine and some access does appear to be required from below.

Do you have the Bravo eLearn ... the procedure is covered in there. You can download a copy from the Forum's Downloads area here.

Alternatively there's one online here - in particular the R+R procedure for the Starter Motor on a 1.4 is described here.

Also note these general Precautions: Before working on the electrical system (connectors, electrical components, wiring, etc.) turn the ignition off (STOP) and disconnect the battery.

 

[liamsteeth]

Brilliant, thanks so much!!