Car sounds like an electric milkfloat!!!

[tbag]

Please help. Any suggestions gratefully received!

We have got a 4l 1997 chimaera and when it gets to about 1800 - 2000 revs it starts to make a strange whirring noise. It isn't overly loud but it can be heard from inside the car. It appears to be coming from the front of the engine / pulley area. It has just started making the noise at low revs as well now although much quieter. It has only been driven a few miles like this but being novices we aren't sure whether it is safe to drive the car. We recently had a new radiator fitted which involved some gaskets being replaced on the front of the engine around the same area and was wondering if the noise could be anything to do with this? The car has only done 16000 miles so hopefully its not something major. Can anyone suggest any obvious things we can try before booking it into a garage and spending all our savings again. Please help.

[simpo one]

Fanbelt rubbing on something? Does your car have an exhaust heatshield (bit of curved silver stuff) near the swirlpot? That can get dislodged and rub on the belt too. Worth a good poke around with the Mark 1 Eyeball I think

[the dodger]

Alternator bearing?

[tbag]

We've had a look at the car and are pretty sure it is the alternator bearings. Can they be replaced/fixed easily or should we buy a whole new unit (and if so - is this hard to fit. Anything to watch out for etc). Any idea on costs to expect?

We haven't had any starting problems or battery lights coming on, just funny noises.

Thanks for your help

[RobM]

Or could be pas pump ( if it has pas that is ). When its making the noise, move steering wheel left/right ( use emtpty road too ). If this causes the noise to get worse then check the fluid level in the power steering reservoir. If not, its not that

>> Edited by RobM on Sunday 10th August 01:50

[tbag]

Thanks for your replies so far.

Doesn't look like anything is rubbing and no pas but thanks for trying to help. Still going with the alternator/bearings. A nice man has told us to take the alternator off and he will check/replace/swop it.

Is there anything we should watch out for when removing and refitting or is it an easy job?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[tbag]

Sorry - me again!!

The other half has just taken the two bolts out and there are two sleeves in the casing? Any ideas how to remove these?

Looked in 'the bible' and can't seem to find anything. Can anyone tell us what page to look at or give us any advice. Thanks again.

[iandbeech]

Radiator etc been sorted - water pump?

[Trefor]

Could also be the bearings in the tensioner unit, which is very close to the alternator. Mine started making a noise a few years ago. My local independent got new bearings and rebuilt it instead of buying a new tensioner.