Technical Really loud squeal from engine bay

[markr318]

Hi all. I am having problems with my partner's 2004 panda dualogic. There is a really loud squeal coming from the the engine bay. It is only when the car is below 2000 rpm. I am at a loss trying to diagnose it. It isn't the aux belt and the timing belt is relatively new. It seems to be coming from around the gearbox area. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[koalar]

continual or as you rev the engine?

same with the clutch peddle down?

 

[DaveMcT]

Clutch release bearing is a likely candidate. Also check the water pump because engine bay sounds can be hard to locate.

Release bearing noise will change with clutch pedal action. Water pump won't.

Final (panic mode) suggestion, have you checked the gearbox oil level?

 

[markr318]

It is continuous and disappears when i rev the engine then comes back once the engine is idling again.

It is an automatic so can't test the clutch release bearing.

I have just replaced the gearbox oil as we just purchased the car.

What would indicate the water pump being knackered?

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[GeorgeDamper]

It is continuous and disappears when i rev the engine then comes back once the engine is idling again.

It is an automatic so can't test the clutch release bearing.

I have just replaced the gearbox oil as we just purchased the car.

What would indicate the water pump being knackered?

Thanks for the help guys.

I used to have a car stethoscope. It was dead handy for this type of thing.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2PC-AUTOMOTIVE-MECHANICS-NOISE-LOCATING-STETHOSCOPE-CAR-REPAIR-ETC-stethescope/202643123344?epid=25016994947&hash=item2f2e78ac90:m:mfAdrZ2puUCZBgi0bZFg_YQ

 

[koalar]

description fits the axillary belt slipping at idle. Are you 100% its not slipping. Spray a bit of water on it see if the noise goes away.


the only things on the other side of the engine that changes its spin speed when you rev the engine in neutral is the gearbox, clutch and differential.


out of those the clutch release is the most likely. Yes the Panda automatic has a clutch.

 

[markr318]

It definitely isnt the aux belt as i removed it and started the engine and the noise was still there.

After more inquiring im pretty sure its cluth, gearbox related. Hopefully get the gearbox off tomorrow. Thanks for the advice.

 

[DaveMcT]

How old is your cam/timing belt?

I ask because the automatic is a different ball-game regards the clutch change, so if the gears are shifting ok the wise would leave well alone until you have more information.

A water pump squeal is caused by the seal. The pump will be fine but the seal will soon enough be leaking and leading to coolant loss and all the head gasket horrors that causes. If the cam belt is old, you should consider doing the cam belt and water pump anyway.

However if the noise only happens when you select drive and it goes away when you are moving it is almost certainly related to the clutch. The water pump would be noisy all of the time. Noise in drive with no noise in neutral indicates it's not the pump.

The Panda semi auto works the clutch very hard even more so with drivers who use it to hill-hold or creep forwards in traffic as they would the a torque converter auto. How old is the clutch?

 

[markr318]

Thanks Dave for the advice. I took off the gearbox and found that it was the clutch release bearing. I have changed the clutch and put the gearbox back on. The noise has gone. However now i cant get it to go into 1st or reverse and it says clutch stroke insufficient. It seams to be never ending.

 

[DaveMcT]

Well done so far.

Best bet now is open another thread for the clutch servo issue.

 

[varesecrazy]

Bled fluid through with software ?

 

[A3jeroen]

Clutch probably needs recalibrating after changing. MES should be able to do it.

gr J