Please help me figure out this noise..

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:15 pm

http://youtu.be/qbuZKHs3xLE

It seems to be coming from the alternator, or something in that general area.

It started about a week ago. Sometimes it doesn't do it, sometimes it is super loud. I have no idea what it is, but it drives me insane, to the point where I haven't been driving any more, I've been taking the motorbike instead.

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 4:28 pm

It sounds like a much more severe version of what I have and no one has been able to identify the noise in my car

dynofiend · Post by **dynofiend** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:21 pm

To help narrow down the source of the noise, use a 'doctor'. Otherwise known as a wooden dowel. Press one end of the dowel firmly on where you think the noise is coming from (EG the alternator) and then press the other end firmly on the bony part just infront of your ear hole. Youll very easily be able to hear the rattle. Now move the dowel around pressing against various parts, trying to find the point where it is loudest and clearest. When you have this, you have your suspect part!

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 6:36 pm

dynofiend wrote:To help narrow down the source of the noise, use a 'doctor'. Otherwise known as a wooden dowel. Press one end of the dowel firmly on where you think the noise is coming from (EG the alternator) and then press the other end firmly on the bony part just infront of your ear hole. Youll very easily be able to hear the rattle. Now move the dowel around pressing against various parts, trying to find the point where it is loudest and clearest. When you have this, you have your suspect part!

I just tried it, but I still can't figure out where the rattle was coming from, nothing I poked seemed to sound any different from anything else, including the alternator.

Ill have to take her to a mechanic tomorrow

First time she will have had a mechanic look at her for anything other than a WOF in a whole year

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:22 pm

You could take off the drive belt[s] & try again..could also be your water-pump pulley with loose bolts.

Hard to really tell the noise over a computer

na6*dori · Post by **na6*dori** » Thu Aug 30, 2012 7:56 pm

sounds like your alternator bearings, can you take the belt off and start the engine and see if it makes the noise still?. if it still doe than its cambelt idler/tensioner by the sounds of it

Denz · Post by **Denz** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:18 pm

Sounds the same as I had, I thought the engine bearings were stuffed and there was a horrible weeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeee sounds like yours.
Turns out it was just the belt. Went from a rattly hunk of crap to dead silent instantly
Easy way to try this is pour water on the belts at the front, if the sounds goes away you have your problem.

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Sat Sep 01, 2012 7:40 pm

Denz wrote:Sounds the same as I had, I thought the engine bearings were stuffed and there was a horrible weeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeee sounds like yours.
Turns out it was just the belt. Went from a rattly hunk of crap to dead silent instantly
Easy way to try this is pour water on the belts at the front, if the sounds goes away you have your problem.

Hey guys thanks for all the advice

My car started making an amazing loud grinding noise so I popped the bonnet to find the alternator belt had slipped off - the bolts had come loose and it has lsot the tension. I put the belt back on only to find the original noise is STILL THERE

I spun the alternator around a few times and it didn't seem to be crunching, but then again the noise only happens when the revs get high enough.

Maybe I'll swap out the alternator this weekend, ive got a couple of spares.

Cheers

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:16 am

does it go away when you push the clutch in?

Angreal · Post by **Angreal** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 10:38 pm

Mine doesn't. I only notice it when idling, otherwise the engine noise overrides the rattling

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Sun Sep 02, 2012 11:18 pm

SLYDIT wrote:does it go away when you push the clutch in?

No, it doesn't

But I have another SUPER loud meshing/grinding sound that goes away when I push the clutch in, do you know what causes it? It's done it since I got the car, like 20,000k ago

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:25 am

halberd wrote:
SLYDIT wrote:does it go away when you push the clutch in?
No, it doesn't

But I have another SUPER loud meshing/grinding sound that goes away when I push the clutch in, do you know what causes it? It's done it since I got the car, like 20,000k ago

Time for a new release bearing!

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:41 pm

WideOpenThrottle wrote:
halberd wrote:
SLYDIT wrote:does it go away when you push the clutch in?
No, it doesn't

But I have another SUPER loud meshing/grinding sound that goes away when I push the clutch in, do you know what causes it? It's done it since I got the car, like 20,000k ago
Time for a new release bearing!

How big is that job?

Can it wait till my clutch shits itself? Or should I do it ASAP?

Born_disturbed · Post by **Born_disturbed** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 12:43 pm

I have been running with a noisy release bearing for a while now including hammering it around the track...

I'm waiting until I get my new clutch and flywheel set up for my 6 speed before I replace it

WideOpenThrottle · Post by **WideOpenThrottle** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:04 pm

What Born disturbed said...do it if it really bothers you other wise wait...never had one fail yet!

SLYDIT · Post by **SLYDIT** » Mon Sep 03, 2012 6:38 pm

it may not be just the realease bearing. my first gearbox had the main input shaft bearing fail and my second one is suffering the same demise.

halberd · Post by **halberd** » Tue Sep 04, 2012 10:56 am

Does anyone in Auckland want to drive my car to see if they can tell what the gearbox noise is? Or is there anywhere I can take it to?

When I first got it I took it to a couple of garages who basically said "Yea your gearbox is farked, get a new one", I kinda need an expert on this

Please help me figure out this noise..

Please help me figure out this noise..

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