Squeeling/Hissing from belts/alternator/tensioner?

[Z2TT]

Hi,

Ussually after a drive a hissing/squeeling noise can be heard from the front of the engine, only when the car is warm doesn't happen when it's cold. It's like a grasshopper noise.

So i'm thinking it could either be one of the belts or the alternator, but it's hard to tell with all the engine noise. How should I go about diagnosing the problem?

Should I spray CRC around the belts on the pulleys and see if it quietens?

Thanks.

[xman]

With out actually hearing it it's hard to say, but it could be a worn/loose belt or a bearing.
I would check each belt for tention first then if all are tight load each belt to see wich one is making the noise. Turn the lights on for the alternator, turn the stearing for power stearing etc. Worn bearings can be checked with a long screwdriver / shaft placed near the bearing and to your ear. Hope this helps.

[Kedderz]

Timing belt been done recently? If so you probably over tensioned it.

[Z2TT]

Nope kedderz timing belt hasn't been done recently, no noise for about 6 months of driving and now it's just come on.

Xman I will try the things you've mentioned, such as loading the P/S and Alternator. Pretty sure all belts are tight, should it be 10mm play each way?

I dont understand what you mean by using the screwdriver method, are you saying that when I place the screwdriver near the tensioner bearing the noise will travel up the screwdriver?

Thanks

[xman]

10mm should be ok.

[LeeRoy]

Nope kedderz timing belt hasn't been done recently, no noise for about 6 months of driving and now it's just come on.

Xman I will try the things you've mentioned, such as loading the P/S and Alternator. Pretty sure all belts are tight, should it be 10mm play each way?

I dont understand what you mean by using the screwdriver method, are you saying that when I place the screwdriver near the tensioner bearing the noise will travel up the screwdriver?

Thanks

Yes, sorta like a doctors stethoscope.

You put the screwdriver against a suspected noise area, then your ear/head against the other end....just don't put the screwdriver into the spinning pulley.

[Z2TT]

Hi,

Is there anything better to use than a screwdriver, could I use a solid metal rod? or a flat metal piece?

[xman]

Anything like that will do.
Also I've found that if you wear earmuffs and place the rod against the outside of one of the muffs you car isolate the sound you are looking for even better. The muffs drawn out the other noise.