9 replies to this topic

[silver_toes]

Hi All

 

I'm wondering if anyone can help with this strange chirping noise coming from the passenger side of the engine. The only way I can describe it is that it sounds like electrical arcing. I have uploaded a video to youtube.

 

 

The car is a 1997 uk spec mpi. It has recently had a new alternator fitted. The alternator belt is new and quite tight. I have been wondering whether it might be bearings in the water pump.

 

Has anyone experienced this before ?

 

As ever, many thanks for any input in advance.

 

 

 

[sledgehammer]

put a bit of wd40 on the belt - does the noise change ?

 

if it doesn't get a long screwdriver (don't touch moving parts / HT system)

 

put handle against ear & tip on block / head / alternator etc - see if you can find source of noise

Edited by sledgehammer, 10 July 2018 - 09:17 PM.

[Bat]

Hi,

Tensioner pulley?

Cheers 

[humph]

Not sure if this is the same, as the issue i've recently had with an early BMW MINI i bought, but that was crankshaft pulley.

 

In my case the car was chirping, like a canary (very strange), and the noise changed with engine speed.  The new MINI has a dual mass crankshaft pulley, essentially steel inner and outer sections with a rubber ring in between to act as a damper. The MINI has a common fault where the rubber breaks up over time and the weight distribution of the pulley changes, meaning vibration and funny noises.

 

Changed the pulley and car runs perfectly. Worth noting on the MINI there is a 99p oil seal behind the pulley, also a common failure point, so worth changing while it's all apart.

 

Looking at the link it seems the A series has a similar rubber damper set up, but this was only up to 1996. 

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

Can't tell if the post 96 mpi item has the same.

 

http://www.minispare...|Back to search

 

If so check for missing chunks of rubber, this may be the cause.

Edited by humph, 11 July 2018 - 11:48 AM.

[silver_toes]

Hmm, just reading up about the crankshaft pulley and it does seem a very similar noise.

[silver_toes]

The plot thickens. I've had a small oil leak on that side of the engine. Never thought much about it. Just had a closer look now and i'm pretty sure the oil is coming from the crank pulley. What does this mean ?

[Sprocket]

The plot thickens. I've had a small oil leak on that side of the engine. Never thought much about it. Just had a closer look now and i'm pretty sure the oil is coming from the crank pulley. What does this mean ?

It means you might have an oil leak.

The noise is more likely the alternator, the water pump or the belt tensioner idler. The idler being the first likely culpret and the easiest of them all to change.

I give this advice based on listening to an iffy video on a cheap phone sat on a campsite with limited signal.

[brivinci]

That means your Mini is officially a Mini. The crank pulley/timing cover area is an extremely common place for a leak. Sometimes tricky to pinpoint which exactly but If you are going to tackle it, replace all seals. Check to see if the oil is getting onto the belt. Typically it doesn't but if it has it could prematurely ruin belt. 

[silver_toes]

Thankyou for the replies. will investigate further at the weekend.

[Pablov]

hello friend, what was the noise finally?