Screech from a belt?

[lee111s]

When I start my car up there's quite a loud screeching noise from the engine. I've heard it on other cars too and I'm guessing that it's a belt of some sort. It hasn't always done it and really only since it's been cold outside.

Any ideas?

[Justin S]

alternator belt.Probably because you are putting a load on the alternator running heaters and lights etc.I would check it out and get it changed.If it is screeeching, then it has stretched and damaged/ cracked.

[Sam_68]

^^^ What he says.

It's screeching because it's slipping on the pulley.

Unless a bolt has come loose on the tensioner, it's usually a sign that the belt itself has stretched and is about to break.

New belts only cost a few quid, so fit a new one now, before it lets you down!

[Phil. S.]

Worth doing this sooner rather than later as they can cause a lot of damage if they go. (See Dave Andrews contribution to a similar thread on SELOC)

[cyberface]

Interested in this one, nothing to do with Lotus, but my MG ZT 400 (4.6 Ford V8, supercharger) squeals like buggery on startup in exactly the same conditions (electrical / aircon load). The guys who did the supercharger conversion say it's normal and due to the serpentine belt (one big belt powers every ancillary at the front of the engine, from the water pump to the alternator to the aircon to the big supercharger) having to service every device pulling a load.

Starting up without aircon, lights or heater elements going solves this, but it's a while before the engine is warm enough to turn all the bits on without squeal. And this is irritating when you're trying to defrost the car. Biggest culprit appears to be the rear window demister (not an issue in an Elise) and the aircon (only an issue with S2 equipped cars)...

[boobles]

Almost certainly Alternator belt. Had mine changed 3 weeks ago by sportomotive & it only cost £40.

[lee111s]

Had it checked out today...was in good condition but it just needed tightened

[Sam_68]

Get a spare belt and keep it in the boot. I assume you have membership of a breakdown organisation?

Belts do not usually stretch enough to start slipping until the internal reinforcement (which is not visible and so cannot be assessed) has started breaking down.

Tightening a belt which is 'in good condition and just needed tightening' almost invariably leads to a failure within a couple of thousand miles, in my experience (although, to be fair, the poly-belts used on the K-series are a little better in this respect than the old V-section belts).

[braddo]

Hmmm, mine's making similar noises and I'm getting nervous about taking it to Wales over New Year's.

Can anyone recommend a place near SE Wales to check/supply/fit a new alternator belt?

Thanks

[bananamana]

if the altenator belt goes then what other damage can this cause?

I knwo the CAM belt will do damage but never thought the other belt(s) could?

[boobles]

If your alternator belt goes, you will stop farily quickly & thats it. I have known people to use tights as a "quick" fix to get them home.

Not on an Elise i have to add.

Edited by boobles on Wednesday 24th December 13:10

[DamienCBR]

As already said there is a bit on SELOC recently from Dave Andrews about alternator belts. I had never known an alternator belt to do damage but after reading his stuff if mine gets noisey for the sake of a couple of quid i will be changing mine.

D

[andy_s]

Mine did this, bit of a whine and the same day it started the belt went. Limped home, recharged the batteries and then a 'fingers crossed' run for about 40 miles to get it fixed.
If you hear the whine - get it done asap, saves stress in the long term!