Technical Whining Noise from Alternator

[Adamski]

Hi, recently my cinq has been making a terrible whining noise, which seems to be coming from the alternator. The noise seems to vary a little when you rev the engine. I pulled up to my friends house the other day to show off my car but he wasn't too impressed when he could hear me coming half way down the road with an engine that sounded like it was going to die...

I don't know whether this means that the alternator itself needs replacing or just the belt... Anyone got any ideas? And would it be easy / cheap to repair this myself? (I have VERY little experience with engines!)

Thanks a lot.

Cinquecento Sporting - Silver
Pics Coming soon...

 

[custard]

try checking the alternater belt isnt too tight,it probably is

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

 

[Adamski]

Hi,
I took my cinq into the garage today, and was told that it is the cam belt that's causing the issue. He moved the cover around it, and I could hear the tone of the whining change.

Any ideas how much a new cam belt is? That's if I need it, what could be causing it to make a noise?

Cinquecento Sporting - Silver
Pics Coming soon...

 

[HP]

If it's the cam belt, get it changed asap before something happens. Shouldn't be more than around £80 to do all in. Have your man check the tensioner bearing and water pump too while the belt's off.

Problem sounds like it's catching the cover somewhere - could be overly loose or fraying maybe.

Pete.
1242cc cinq,turbo cinq,Cinqs&Seis Yahoo group,Clubcento

 

[rallychick]

Any ideas how much a new cam belt is? That's if I need it, what could be causing it to make a noise?

Cinquecento Sporting - Silver
Pics Coming soon...

Mine has been doing the something similar and it is the bearing in the alternator. Just worth mentioning I thought.. It sounds awful though

 

[rallycinq]

Firstly remove the alternator belt. Then start the engine. Of course the red ignition light will stay on but providing the battery is fully charged you will quickly hear whether the noise has gone away, or not.

Make your decision from there.

Cheers

D

 

[Liam]

I need to do this too to eliminate probs, Adamski, follow Rallies advice just incase the garage is trying to fleece you.

Liam

 

[Adamski]

bloomfieldliam... You probably haven't noticed, but I started this thread in April. So I've got the problem sorted now

It turns out that it was actually the cambelt. It was replaced as well as the cover around it. Sounds fine now.

 

[Liam]

Oh, eh, will getting observation classes booked.

Hmmmm, I will do more investigation on that though.

Cheers

Liam