Engine noise question- can anyone help?

[Big Chris]

Just a quicky for anyone who is may be technical under the bonnet.

Bought a car two weeks ago, on the initial testdrive i noticed a squeak under coming from the engine. Didnt think much of it, just thought it was damp after the car had been sat out on a forecourt for so long. Flagged it to the salesman anyway and when i picked the car up it had gone.

After a trip to London last weekend i started the car up and there it was again squeaking away. Phoned the garage and their explanaton was it is a funnel mesh in one of my downpipes...the bit that joins two exhaust pipes together, (apparently)...quite happy to fix it, bring it in at the weekend.

My question is, is this possible, i dont think they are onto the right thing. It sounds like it is coming from the front of the car. When i cold start it it is quite noticable but as it warms up it only squeaks when i am in motion or i rev the car in neutral. If i dip the clutch and am still moving the squeak stops, or if i am at a standstill it stops.

Any ideas?

[Podie]

Clutch release bearing?

[mondeoman]

jeeeeez - tough one, but could be PS pump/fan-belt/alternator/AC - all sorts of things that would give those symptons... best thing to do if its is annoying you is take it to the garge and get em to listen to it before they diagnose and start work. Either way, if they haven't fixed it after they do some work, get em to sort it and don't pay anymore.

[Big Chris]

I was thinking it was more of a belt problem than exhaust. It is very odd and damn annoying.

[grahambell]

You could try removing the fan belt and see if you still have the noise. If it's gone then it's obviously due to something the belt drives.

[andyf007]

They could be right, it depends on the car and exhaust type. Some exhausts on frontwheel drive cars have a moveable coupling at the bottom of the down pipes held together with 2 spring loaded bolts. It's a cup and ball kind of affair with an asbestos type lining bush. As the bush wears it can squeak, especially when the engine rocks. Usually more noticable at starting,stopping or tickover. But best guess would be clutch bearing.

Andy

>> Edited by andyf007 on Thursday 21st November 12:59

[CB-Dave]

If it squeaks in neutral, but goes when the clutch is put in - then podie is right, it's the clutch release bearing...

[CarZee]

CB-Dave said: If it squeaks in neutral, but goes when the clutch is put in - then podie is right, it's the clutch release bearing...

unless it's a hamster taped to the clutch pedal..

[Big Chris]

Cold starts is squeaks all the time, when the engine has warmed up it squeaks when i am moving. If i stop the squeaking stops, if i am moving and dip the clutch in the squeaking stops. If i am sat at the lights, car in neutral and i rev the car...it squeaks.

Hope that all makes sense

[kevinday]

Does the squeek vary with the engine speed, road speed, or not at all?

[campbell]

CB-Dave said: If it squeaks in neutral, but goes when the clutch is put in - then podie is right, it's the clutch release bearing...

If it was the release bearing you would only get the noise when the pedal is pushed in, this is the only time the bearing it in contact with the pressure cluch pressure plate, when the cluch is out the release bearing shouldnt be touching the plate.
It sounds like one of the belts, spray some WD40 onto them and if that dosnt quietin them then it sounds like the water pump bearing is failing.

Good luck.