Squeaky engine/belt noise

[thesfg]

Hello,

I recently picked up my 'Ro and am loving it. However in the wet it makes the most awful squeaking noise. The nearest I can equate it to is a slipping fan belt, only I understand the beast doesn't have a fan belt. When I looked under the engine and gave it some juice, it definitely seemed to be coming from the front belt arrangement. All the oil is in the range and it only really seems to happen when it rains, which is constantly at the moment.

It's one thing to turn heads when the 8 cyclinders roar, it's another when you're sat at traffic lights sounding like an old transit van!

Any help, advice or guidance on this would be very much appreciated.

Cheers
TheSFG

[stevieturbo]

Most people still call it a fan belt. Accessory belt is the correct term, as the belts now drive many things.

There is a chance it could need replaced, or it has been replaced and is the wrong length ( too long ), or maybe your tensioner needs replacing.

OE fit belt is circa 2000mm long

[Black VXR]

How old is your car, is the battery good, it sounds like the alternator is working hard... You can dress the belt with a special belt spray (which may be a quick fix) but I would check out the cause, either a loose belt or something working the belt too hard. It's interesting that you say 'in the rain' and 'at traffic lights' i.e rear screen, wipers, lights, heater, this all adds up.

[thesfg]

Cheers for the tips. The car is on a 56 plate so should be fine. Interesting your point on the battery as before I bought it I was told that it had already had a new battery before I bought it, so that might need looking into. In response to the rain comment, I wondered if it was rain water coming into the engine through the snouts and causing something to slip and hence the squeak.

Thanks for the nod. I'll look into it further.

[Scoobaro]

thesfg said:

Cheers for the tips. The car is on a 56 plate so should be fine. Interesting your point on the battery as before I bought it I was told that it had already had a new battery before I bought it, so that might need looking into. In response to the rain comment, I wondered if it was rain water coming into the engine through the snouts and causing something to slip and hence the squeak.

Thanks for the nod. I'll look into it further.

Pretty sure that as standard the 'snouts' are blanked off so no direct entry to the engine bay. Unless mines just 'special'

[well_fans]

my belt has squeaked since fluid from the water feed to the throttle body leaked over it when the tb was changed for a larger unit. No signs of wear and tear on the belt so have just lived with it up to now. Will get it changed at next service to see if it improves things.

[Black VXR]

Just treat it with belt treatment, the water will have caused this to disolve, it will be fine after. It is commercially available from lots of places and stops belt wear. If the belt slips it is causing damage to the fabric and perhaps the pulleys in extream cases and it will fail! Once it slips once (like a clutch for example) it wont get better.