Screeching sound

Shure · 6 Dec 2006 at 20:33

Since the cold autumn/winter mornings have been here I've been having a horrible screeching sound coming from under my bonnet a couple of seconds after I start my car and seems to last for a second or two then disappears...
This is on a Golf 1.8T GTI (X reg) I've recently had an MOT and a service and nothing has been mentioned.
Any ideas what it could be? Would the fan belt make that kind of a noise?

iCraig · 6 Dec 2006 at 20:36

Sounds like the fan belt or something like that.

Have you started the car with the bonnet up and had a look, usually you can triangulate where the noise is coming from.

Sagalout · 6 Dec 2006 at 20:37

Yeah, it will almost certainly be the fan belt

Stonedofmoo · 6 Dec 2006 at 20:46

Which is the alternator belt if you aren't sure

timbob · 6 Dec 2006 at 21:56

Spray some WD40 around the general area of the fanbelt and leave it for a minute or so before starting it up. The noise will probably go away, and come back a few days later.

There should be a tensioner on it that you can tighten up, or have tightened up at the garage for cheap.

energy · 6 Dec 2006 at 23:07

I wouldn't spray WD40 on it - it will attack the rubber and eventually cause the belt to snap. If its squeals from time to time then it is probably slipping and WD40 will only make it worse, though possibly quieter. Just get the tension checked at a garage.

Acolyte · 6 Dec 2006 at 23:09

Belt will just need the tension nipping up, exacty the same as my car, nipped it up and its silent now.

-westy- · 6 Dec 2006 at 23:11

If the noise goes up and down with revving of the engine, then I'd say fanbelt too

-westy- · 6 Dec 2006 at 23:11

Acolyte said:
Belt will just need the tension nipping up, exacty the same as my car, nipped it up and its silent now.

Whats 'nipping up'?

You mean tightening?

Stonedofmoo · 7 Dec 2006 at 07:42

Spray some WD40 around the general area of the fanbelt and leave it for a minute or so before starting it up.

What

He wants it to grip, not to slip even more

Acolyte · 7 Dec 2006 at 08:20

-westy- said:
Whats 'nipping up'?

You mean tightening?

Yes just nip the tension up in the belt a bit.

timbob · 7 Dec 2006 at 20:49

Stonedofmoo said:
What

He wants it to grip, not to slip even more

WD40 is *not* a lubricant. It is a moisture repellant. Hence why spraying it over the electrical components of an old damp engine that won't start helps.

Tesla · 7 Dec 2006 at 20:57

timbob said:
WD40 is *not* a lubricant. It is a moisture repellant. Hence why spraying it over the electrical components of an old damp engine that won't start helps.

I always thought it was a penetrating oil. I know WD stands for water displacement.

It will lower the friction between a belt and it's pulleys.

Best bet is to change the belt and re-tension, the belt is only a few quid.

Stonedofmoo · 8 Dec 2006 at 09:44

It is a penertrating oil. While I know what you're saying I would still suggest that it won't help the belt grip

scratch · 8 Dec 2006 at 10:11

As others have suggested you're best off either getting the alternator belt tightened or if the tension isn't adjustable, get it replaced. Personally I'd just get it replaced anyway cos they're cheap to do.

My missus had a noisy alternator belt on her Megane. She got a local garage to tighten it, and then a month or so later it snapped, taking out the power steering and cambelt with it. Result: 1 buggered engine all for the sake of a £10 belt.

Andy

D4VE · 8 Dec 2006 at 10:15

There might be PAS pump belt too so you'll need to work out which one it is.