Squeal/Scratching sound :(

Post by **cheshire190e** » 22 Apr 2008 11:06 pm

Hi everyone,

I've recently purchased a 1987 1.7 340gl.

Everything seemed fine for the first week but now an annoying squeal has started to appear. This only happens when the cars running at high revs, has anyone else had this problem?

Should I be worried about this?

Thanks

Matt

Post by **petefarrell360** » 23 Apr 2008 02:43 am

Hi and welcome! I'm not too up on the 1.7. having never owned one, but generally I'd say checking the tension of the fan belt etc would be worth while, as they may be slipping at higher engine speeds, normally when pulling away under load etc. Otherwise it may be a bearing that is dry or worn somewhere that is making the noise.

I'd lift the bonnet up and gently increase the engine revs and when the noise appears see if you can locate it that way.

I'd be a little concerned at least and I'd get to the bottom of what is making the noise, sometimes these things can be nothing more than something rubbing or just requiring lubricating, or they can be the initial signs of something more serious. So tracing where it is coming from and what it is will then mean you can decide if it is just an annoying noise that can be sorted at your leisure, or an indication something is wrong and needs attention soon to prevent any damage or problems.

Hope that helps!

Pete

Post by **cheshire190e** » 23 Apr 2008 09:17 pm

yeah nice one.

I spoke to my friend today and he says it could be the alternator bearing. im goin to check it out tonight when i get home.

Hopefully it will be nothing too serious. just wanted to trace it since ive only just bought it.

cheers

Post by **redline** » 23 Apr 2008 09:39 pm

I would say alternator or water punp bearing ( unless you have p.a.s. )

all belt driven items, but belts themselves usually only squeal when you are pulling away dont they ? and then the squeal settles down

Post by **cheshire190e** » 23 Apr 2008 09:57 pm

yeah thats why i think it may be the alternator bearing. It doesnt happen when pulling away just when the revs go fairly high before i change gear.

does anyone else know other things to check for?

Cheers

Post by **filthyjohn** » 24 Apr 2008 06:09 am

Mine started making such a terrible squealing that I was sure it was a bust bearing somewhere. I've never heard such a loud racket from a car, but it really was just a loose belt (that was being sprayed with hot water from a split top hose

). So check the belt tension and adjust if necessary, not too tight though. It's more likely to be that than anything else.

Post by **cheshire190e** » 24 Apr 2008 07:22 am

ill check it out, thanks guys

Post by **setsunakaede** » 24 Apr 2008 08:16 am

Check the drivebelt as well, mine started shrieking which was the herald of shit coming up... Luckily I changed the belt just in time, two members of the dutch volvo300club ignored this sound for just a few miles and ended up with a ruined engine.
The sound was produced by the belt tensioner btw, which should be replaced together with a guide roller and the belt itself. Failing to replace will result in blocked tensioner, which in turn results in a driveshaft that eats all the teeth off the belt --> engine bashes valves and pistons.

Better safe than sorry. Just check it.(all 1,7 engines btw)

Post by **Chris_C** » 24 Apr 2008 09:46 am

Id check exactly what Setsunakaede says, the tensioner on the cam belt is a service item that should be changed with the timing belt, but often doesn't get done. If thats binding, and the timing belt strips, you will have issues.

Post by **cheshire190e** » 24 Apr 2008 05:31 pm

Hi, thanks everyone, just to make sure you have heard correctly. The noise ONLY appears when im at high revs, not when im pulling away or idling.

Could this still be the cam belt tensioner?

Ill check it over.

thanks

Post by **cheshire190e** » 24 Apr 2008 11:10 pm

right. still no luck.

I've checked out all the belts. It sounds as though it much be a bearing somewhere but because it sounds like its scratching i want to get to the bottom of this.

does anyone know of specific bearings to check. all i can think of that may have gone is the alternator bearing.

Post by **setsunakaede** » 25 Apr 2008 01:22 pm

Dunno what it can be if not the belts. I just wanted you to make sure it wasn't anything drivebelt-ish, as you're in big trouble when that goes...

Post by **Pappa** » 25 Apr 2008 04:27 pm

cheshire190e wrote:right. still no luck.

I've checked out all the belts. It sounds as though it much be a bearing somewhere but because it sounds like its scratching i want to get to the bottom of this.

does anyone know of specific bearings to check. all i can think of that may have gone is the alternator bearing.

Take the alternator belt off and run without the alternator then, see how it goes.. You don't need an alternator for 5 minutes of testing.

The scratching could very well be a bearing. Are you sure the alternator belt hasn't been overtightened in the past?

Post by **cheshire190e** » 25 Apr 2008 06:35 pm

im not sure weather its been over tightened in the past. I checked all the belts out and they all seem pretty new. Could only have done a few hundred miles on them.

Ill try disconnecting the alternator belt.

Fingers crossed

Post by **Pappa** » 25 Apr 2008 08:09 pm

cheshire190e wrote:im not sure weather its been over tightened in the past. I checked all the belts out and they all seem pretty new. Could only have done a few hundred miles on them.

Ill try disconnecting the alternator belt.

Fingers crossed

If they're new it's possible the old owner overtightened the alternator belt leading to bearing failure. Only one way to find out