MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGF Technical - Screeching noise

Went for a long drive on Saturday I slowed to a roundabout then accelarated in second and there was a noise coming from the back right of me like a water pump/alternator belt that lasted about 3 seconds. It did this only three times, always when I'd slowed down and then set off again. Its stopped now and hasn't made a peep since! Any ideas?
Dolly
Dolly D

Dolly, it may be easier for us to help you if you could publish some pictures of the right back of you :-)
JohnP

Trust my little JohnP to reply :-) No seriously it was to my right but behind me....
Dolly
Dolly D

I heard quite a few screeching cars this morning, the first one woke me up before 6 am - damp and frosty brings out the worst in alternator belts. My F has done it a couple of times. If it likely to be anything much worse then I'm sure somebody else will be along soon ....
JohnP

Yes thats what I hoped! And now its stopped I'm not worrying too much! It was really bad weather and I'd been on a motorway too so perhaps some rain got in or something..
Dolly
Dolly D

It could also be the brake wear indicators, try a few high speed brakeing manovers to heat them up, if the noise comes back, then it's new pads due. If it is this then in time the noise will become more pesistant, untill it follows you everywhere!
Will Munns

Thanks Will! So its not too dangerous til it gets more consistent then...
Dolly
Dolly D

>So its not too dangerous til it gets more consistent then...

If it is brake pads then I'd change them fairly soon, brake pads aren't very expensive, and they are a very easy fit.
Will Munns

I agree with you John: most likely to be the alternator belt. Heavier electrical loads in cold conditions usually expose faults in a worn or incorrectly adjusted belt. It may just need tightening, but it may well need replacing: something that needs attention come service time Dolly.
Rob Bell

I get this same noise now and again, usually as I accelerate.

It's definitely not the brakes, but cos it doesn't do it all the time, I haven't bothered looking further into it.
Mark

Its going in on Friday anyway, my mechanic is letting me fix the tracker arm (supervised of course!) so I'll get it tightened at the same time - should be fun!
Ta everyone
Dolly
Dolly D

I had this in an F that I hired earlier this year. Seemed to come on occasionally when the engine compartment fan, which is behind your right hip, came on. Did it a few times, then went away. As it was a hire car, and a heap of junk at that, I did not worry about it again. Fan bearings perhaps?
Neil Courtney

My daughters car had the dreaded screech just a few weeks ago. It stopped. We ignored it. Cambelt tensioner disintegrated. "What" said the piston to the valves "are you doing here", smack!
It's a 96P MPi, 100K plus. It now has 12K replacement engine courtesy of Thames Valley MGF, very very reasonable.
I hope I'm not the prophet of doom.

Ken
Ken Waring

Mine had tha t damp morning screech on startup, over summertime.

traced to a leaky waterpump dripping onto the belt
charlieD

Ken mine is a 97P with 93,000!!! I hope it isn't that!! I'll ask the mechanic to check the tesioner in that case! Thanks..
Dolly
Dolly D

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2003 and 28/10/2003

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGF Technical BBS now