From the second video I'd be looking at stuff like alternator front bearing, maybe air con pump or tensioner or water pump bearings. Doesn't sound like gearbox or release bearing, but it would be interesting to hear if the noise changes when you push the clutch pedal to the floor.
I don't have air con in my model so that's out of the equation. I am just baffled by it. As a mobile mechanic today took it for a quick test drive and said all sounds normal. But somehow I don't believe him.
The big problem with trying to diagnose this sort of thing from a distance with just a noise presented over a recording device is that it often sounds different to what you hear with your ears when actually there. If this is really worrying you I'd be seeking a second professional opinion from a FIAT specialist if possible.
Everyone that I have been to has said the car has no issues. Which I don't believe. I know this might be stupid question, but I filled up with normal E10 fuel last night, where I have filled up last 3 months with super E5, and with the E10 the sound has gone...
Well next fill up go back to E5 The fuel type seems extremely unlikely to influencing what sounds like a mechanical, rotational, sound.
Thank you.
Unless something is so loud that you can 100% diagnose where it is coming from, it’s mostly best to just drive it until it’s more obvious what it causing it. Otherwise you can waste a lot of money and time
So this is the same noise as you have. The reply I got back from the garage was this...
So we removed the alternator belt and ran the engine and the noise stopped
Yes exactly the same. Really annoys me but I understand its not uncommon. I had a Gates cam belt and pump kit fitted. The tensioner was replaced with Fiat but this made little difference. Ive decided to put up with it until the next belt change, No more Gates belts / pumps thankyou! The car is running better than when we bought it 6 years ago and easily revs to the red line. Economy is good, starting also. Just the nasty whine that was not there beofre the belt was changed.
The kit they used for mine was Schaeffler (INA). But why would the garage say it's now an issue with the alternator? Anyway I can test if I need a new alternator?
Well my money is its the cam belt kit thats caused it. I had the nooise and then changed the aux belt and no change. I have done several thousand miles since and have taken the car to the red line a few times with no issue or change. It annoys me that a silent belt has been changed for a noisy one but Ive decided to live with it, unless it changes. I wish I had insisted on genuine Fiat parts! For what its worth I think it may have improved a little in the 4000 miles done so far.
Looks that way doesn't it. No air con if I remember? and the noise goes away when the aux (fan) belt is removed? Has to be alternator as, if I remember correctly, the non air con engine doesn't have an aux belt tensioner bearing? Bet it's the front bearing.
So your thinking it's a faulty alternator?
