So, I fire up the mx5 for the first time in 5 months aaaannd . . .

AtomicBanana · 26 Sep 2009 at 18:59

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVXu1rbTRaw

Please excuse the talking, not in the mood to edit as you may imagine. Also, don't have it too loud, you'll regret it!

Any ideas? So far I'm thinking either one of the belts is catching something I've not found yet, or the water pump... maaaaybe oil pump?

Lashout_UK · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:03

Seized alternator? Simply look at the belt and disconnect it to check.

Clarkey · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:03

Wow, sounds really bad :eek:

. I'd add idler pulleys to your list, they spin at a high enough rpm to make a shreaking like that.

Dup · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:05

That sounds nasty. I'd be looking for metal shavings around the belt areas.

AtomicBanana · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:09

That sounds nasty. I'd be looking for metal shavings around the belt areas.

This is certainly possible. For those who don't know, this was involved in largeish crash; I've replaced a lot of the front end, rad and more.

-westy- · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:13

I'll agree with Lashout. Disconnect/remove the alternator belt to rule that out first. Sounds a bit like a belt slipping or a pulley seizing with the sound it's making.

BigglesPiP · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:20

It sounds bad, but in all likelihood isn't harmful.

I assume you have already insures all the fluids are correct.

As others have said, try running without the fan belt briefly. If silent, turn all the items by hand to try and feel which is bad.

Remember to pump the clutch a few times after you start it.

AtomicBanana · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:27

Yep, all fluids seem normal. I'll give all these things a go tomorrow. It never ends! Still, nice that it turned over instantly on the key without starting in all that time . .

Locky · 26 Sep 2009 at 19:33

100% be an item connected to one of your belts, just trouble shoot whats causing it.

Sin_Chase · 26 Sep 2009 at 20:56

I have nothing usefull to add but....

Start it
Ok
Just start it
Ok you say when then
Just start it

Mr-White · 26 Sep 2009 at 21:01

just turn the radio up ?

MW

cyborg · 26 Sep 2009 at 21:02

Sin_Chase said:
I have nothing usefull to add but....

Start it
Ok
Just start it
Ok you say when then
Just start it

I laughed at this too.

BigglesPiP · 26 Sep 2009 at 21:12

Mr-White said:
just turn the radio up ?

MW

I've genuinely done this to ignore a similar sound.

excaliborg · 26 Sep 2009 at 23:26

Spray selected areas of your engine bay with WD40 (i.e. Alt belt + power steering belt) to see if it makes a difference. You will have to replace the belts after though because when the WD40 dries out it will squeal like crazy.

Leeum · 26 Sep 2009 at 23:32

Had the inlet manifold off? Air leak maybe?

EDIT: I say this as I know the C2 VTS was prone to making a similar noise. See here.

Nomisf · 27 Sep 2009 at 00:12

Just a slightly more dire warning, my cam belt tensioner made a very similar noise before almost totally seizing

Thomas. PLease. · 27 Sep 2009 at 00:51

iirc its a non interference engine so it doesnt really matter.

AtomicBanana · 27 Sep 2009 at 10:24

I had to replace the throttle body, so it's possible it's something around that area as well. I hope it's not the water pump, reaching that is a right pain

Sin_Chase said:
I have nothing usefull to add but....

Start it
Ok
Just start it
Ok you say when then
Just start it

Mums eh?

Django x2 · 27 Sep 2009 at 13:09

I'm certain it's belt related but could be a pump dying from lack of lube. Sounds narrrsty!

AtomicBanana · 28 Sep 2009 at 20:02

Minor update. Already dark when I got home so I thought I'd just give the ol' wd40 a go. I could be imagening if but for a split second I think it may have stopped the noise. I sprayed a load on the alt belt.

Now, this seems more conclusive; I touched round where I'd just put the wd40, and touched the pulley; it was pretty darn warm considering I'd ran the engine for < 20 seconds.

Stuck alt then?