Cold start terrible squeaking from belts V8V

[Markv8v]

Hi

I have a V8 Vantage that has developed a really annoying habit!

After the car has been standing and gone cold, when you start it you get the most horrendous squeaking from the belts on the engine.
This eventually clears after the car is hot but this can take anything up to 6 miles, not good when you drive one of the best looking cars around.

Has anyone else suffered from this and if so what was the cure as it is driving me mad!!!

Regards

Mark

[tonyarmitstead]

I had exactly that problem with my 07 V8V. In my case the issue was the utility belt tensioner design, which is a known issue on 'non recent' vantages. For some cars, when the owner complained and the car was still in warranty then AM would replace the tensioner with a new design which did not suffer from the problem.

There are two known cures that I know of:

1. If still under warranty, get your AM dealer to fix it. If not under warranty you need to replace the tensioner and the drive belt.
2. Use some talk powder (I used foot powder) and 'puff' it onto the belt near the tensioner whilst the car is idling (take care!). In my case this would instantly stop the squeal and it would last for a couple of weeks (I use the car every day). However I got fed up of doing this and so eventually did 1.

Regards Tony

[Markv8v]

Thanks Tony

Mine is also a 07 model with a AM warranty so will be giving them a call on Monday.

I will report how I get on.

Regards

Mark

[tonyarmitstead]

Dont let them bull you with 'its a wear and tear' issue, it is in fact a know design issue which is rectified on customer complaint. The design of the new tensioner is different from the old one.

If your warranty is with AM I would expect them to rectify it FOC.

Good luck.

[Steve*B]

tonyarmitstead said:

it is in fact a know design issue which is rectified on customer complaint. The design of the new tensioner is different from the old one.

They are on version four or five as I recall so even if your car has had it done it may need the latest fix.

[krisdelta]

My '07 had the same (out of warranty) this year - Trinity Engineering sorted it out, it was an hours labour, plus the belt tensioner kit - which was only @£100. Bye bye squealing! Obviously warranty is the best bet

[Markv8v]

Thank you to everyone hopefully have it all sorted soon.

What a great forum this is.

Regards again

Mark

[Markv8v]

Took the Vantage in to Aston at Derby yesterday to have the belt pulley replaced and was very impressed from the service and attention I received.
This was my first experience of claiming on the used car warranty and the whole experience was spot on.
Sal and his team made me very welcome, lots of nice coffee and a guided tour of my pride and joy.
The repair was carried out in under an hour as advised,they then gave the car a mini valet and I was done.

Really nice team of guys who are obviously very passioate about Astons, this was my best main dealer experience so far and I have had many poor ones mainly from major German brands !!!!!

A very quite and pleased

Markv8v

[yeti]

Good to hear, big thumbs up