14 replies to this topic

[Dangleeballs9568]

Today my 1980 Austin mini started making a strange high pitched noise while accelerating. Running idle in the drive and at traffic lights and was fine. The noise starts as soon as I start driving. Any ideas please?

[glyn]

High pitched noise? Squeal? Whine? Hum?

[Guess-Works.com]

sounds like a stone caught in the 'stone guards' on the disk brakes.

[minimk1]

air leak, mine does a squeaky sound at about 3000 rpm and i put this down to something to do with the air filter as it only happens at 3k exactly 

[Dangleeballs9568]

High pitched noise? Squeal? Whine? Hum?

It's like a squeal

[RedRuby]

Just to throw another possibility into the mix........... Alternator bearings

[Dangleeballs9568]

It sounds like it's coming from the front passenger side of the car if that helps

[gazza82]

That's where the alternator is of course. Try removing the fan belt and seeing if noise goes away. That will narrow it down. Short spin mind ... no water pump!!!

[Guess-Works.com]

Or....

 

When stationary rev the engine, if it makes a noise then it could be the alternator... if it does not then it's not the alternator...

 

Absolutely no need to take the fan belt off...

 

If  you want to diagnose the issue properly, ask yourself some basic questions...

 

Is the noise only present when I'm moving or is it there when I'm stationary, or vice versa.

 

Is the noise relative to engine speed, ie gets louder/quieter or changes pitch as the rpm increases until I change gear

 

Is the noise relative to road speed ie gets louder/quieter or changes pitch as the speed increases

 

Does it go away if I dip the clutch or select neutral while moving forward..

 

Does it make the same noise going backwards as well as forwards...

 

All simple things which can be done in a matter of minutes without having to even open the bonnet or get out of the drivers seat...
 

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 16 September 2014 - 05:10 PM.

[Dangleeballs9568]

The noise is only present when moving and it stops when I stop. Gets louder with speed no matter what gear and is still present when I dip the clutch unless I come to a stop

[Guess-Works.com]

So basically, it's something to do with the drive train...

 

As you've said previously, it's coming from the passenger footwell, I suggest it is something related to the n/s from wheel...

 

If you have a jack handy, jack up the n/s front wheel and give it a spin.

[Dangleeballs9568]

So basically, it's something to do with the drive train...
 
As you've said previously, it's coming from the passenger footwell, I suggest it is something related to the n/s from wheel...
 
If you have a jack handy, jack up the n/s front wheel and give it a spin.

I have jacked it up and spun the wheel and there is a slight squeal but not as loud as it is when driven

[Guess-Works.com]

try it again but put you hand on the stone guard ( the shield around the disk ), easier if you take wheel off...

Edited by Guess-Works.com, 16 September 2014 - 06:27 PM.

[Dangleeballs9568]

try it again but put you hand on the stone guard ( the shield around the disk ), easier if you take wheel off...

Ok will try that in the morning. What should I be looking out for?

[Guess-Works.com]

You touch/hit/dampen things until the sound changes, then you can be pretty sure what you're touching, hitting or dampening is directly related to the noise which you're hearing....