horried noise

[duncan s]

On the way back home last night ( day out at Duxford ) started to notice a strange noise. Inside the car it was only noticable with the radio off, as a sort of weird fan thing. However outside it was jusy plain awful, more of a high pitched football rattle. It seems to be coming from the serpentine belt area which seems a bit loose. Having looked at several threads it seems it could be the pulleys. I have ordered new pulleys and belt but should I also replace the tensioner (cost being the reason I have not done so yet)? it's a cse ftp with 150000k and I was having no problems overtaking so power seems o.k

[mark e]

If there's a lot of vibration an movement on the belt, then the tensioner/damper probably isn't at it's best. However you don't have to replace it until the belt starts jumping a groove. ECP and the like do sell pattern tensioners for around half the price of OEM, but they're not nearly as good.

Remember the front pulley has a left hand thread .

[Lenn111]

The high pitched sound could come from any rotating component driven by the serpentine belt.
A failing bearing on the alternator can create a squeal. The water pump bushing was screeching on my car. I added a cooling system lubricant and it stopped. The tensioner rarely fails, but the hydraulic oil inside it can dry or leak out causing the shaft to seize. You can check the oil by pulling the rubber sleeve up. If it's empty, top it up with brake fluid. The only problem with the tensioner is the top plastic bushing wearing out allowing vibration. There was a SAAB service bulletin about replacing that bushing with a metal one. I also found that replacing the original 100.5" long belt with a 101.5" belt made it run smoother with less vibration and probably last longer as a result of the slightly lesser tension.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

While appreciating that you have found that the serpentine belts were loose, it may be worth checking that your air conditioning compressor isn't on its last legs, too, to be certain. These make an awful noise just before the bearings seize (and throw the serpentine belt off.).

HTH

[duncan s]

thanks everone have only just got the car into the garage ,people still on hoilday etc.anyroad when i got her there (thanks to green flag ) that little voice in the back of my head that i have been trying to ignore was right along . the alternator bearing had given way so big bill on way.looks like renewing the suspension bushes will have to wait a bit longer still it's only a fraction of the money i would be losing on a new car in depreciation and interest payments . well that what i keep telling myself.

[Paul D]

Check out prices from ISO9001 cetified Alternator reconditioner companies 1st.

I managed to get a Bosche alternator replaced at 1/2 shop price, through a friend of a friend who worked at Bosche. Employees get big discounts!

Otherwise, you could try your luck with a second hand replacement. After-all, is it really worth putting a new one on lasting another 150k+ miles, when chances are you won't keep/run the car that long?

HTH',s
Paul

[Simon Chiles]

Otherwise, you could try your luck with a second hand replacement. *[/b]

Try Parts Asap (I had a good result with a 2nd hand starter motor).

[djtaylor]

I got my alternator reconditioned for £80. They checked the bearings, fitted new slip rings, brushes and regulator.

I don't think i'd rush to put one from a scrappy on, it might be only a few miles off it's last legs too unless you can get it off a low mileage car.

David.

[duncan s]

hi got a reconditioned one for £90 ,so not to bad .labour push the price up nicely but still got the car back and had the hoses replaced at the same time so got more back which can't be bad.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

duncan s, that seems an excellent deal to me. Well done