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MG MGF Technical - strange noises

i have just bought a R reg MGF VVC and when i now strat the engine there is a highpitch squealing noise......what is it?? could it be the fanbelf or cambelt? how much would these parts cost me?? please help!!!!!!!
many thanks
natalie
natalie

Yea it sounds like one of the belts. Does it go away if you rev the engine?

Shouldn't cost too much to get the belts replaced.
David

no it gets louder when i rev the engine
natalie

Natalie
Job #1
replace the alternator drive belt.


Tony
Tony Harrison

Is the noise just after you start the car???.

Does it then go away after a short while??.

If so could be the alternator belt slipping, tends to be more noticable on cold or damp days!!.
Mark.L

really??? how much does that cost, can i do it myself and what is it???
natalie

Alternator belts tend to squeal when accelerating, and grow quiet once the engine is at a constant speed (unless the belt or tension is in a very poor state).

Over-tensioned cam belts make a whine that is related to road speed. Can be quite a soft sound, and can undulate a little in pitch especially at idle.

A failing water pump (what I'd be worried about here) can squeal. Is there any evidence of coolant loss Natalie?
Rob Bell

The cam belt tensioner makes such noise if it gets worn.
Would go for a change job immidiately including the cam belt if the car has done 50k miles and no earlier change.
This is a 300 quid job usually at a VVC.

Get an engine Life Saver Kit with stronger cam wheel bolts from Mr Mike Satur as well to replace the dodgy old bolts.

HTH
Dieter
Dieter

no i just started it drove a minute up the road and then turned around. it was a high pitched scream that was constant and got louder when i reved it. when i took the petrol cap off yesterday to put fuel in it there was a lot of pressure in the tank and hissed when i opened it some one told me if it was the cambelt i have 15miles until the engine goes is this true?? how would i no if there was colant loss???
natalie

Possible cracked fan belt
J Belcher

>> it was a high pitched scream that was constant and got louder when i reved it. <<

Okay - this is sounding rather more like an alternator belt to me - so the answer is cheap to rectify. Any mechanic can do this for you :o)

>> when i took the petrol cap off yesterday to put fuel in it there was a lot of pressure in the tank and hissed when i opened it <<

This is normal Natalie

>> some one told me if it was the cambelt i have 15miles until the engine goes is this true?? <<

That's a gross similification, but the sentiment is correct: if the cam belt is about to fail, you really need to get it sorted extremely quickly, or else you will be faced with a bill for a new engine :o(
Happily, it is increasingly sounding as though this is not your problem, but getting an expert to assess the car is certainly a good idea.

>> how would i no if there was colant loss??? <<

By regularly checking your coolant levels in the expansion tank (right hand of the engine bay, as you peak in through the open boot. Highly recommended that you do this anyway on a regular basis - on any car. If the water pump were leaking badly, you might expect to see a puddle of coolant under the car, near the left hand rear wheel...

Hope this helps
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 14/06/2005 and 15/06/2005

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