MK1 1.8 belt squeal?

[tommysport]

Hi all

I have a mk1 import 1.8

Recently, I've had a specialist do the cambelt & waterpump for me (I supplied all the kit, ALL OEM including belt, pump, thermostat, new alternator belts etc.)

They did a great job, but I now have a squeal from cold, which I never had before.

I assumed was just the new alternator belt maybe adjusting or slightly loose (felt okay) could just push it 90deg in the middle.

I've since been back and they tightened it up, no noise on the day as engine was hot

Just started again from cold and the squeal is much the same..

I'm just wondering my options as don't want to be a pain for them, do you think I could have a worn/broken adjuster?

Or could the noise be the new waterpump itself perhaps?

Anything I could try to rule out the noise? Just wondering on other options as don't want to have the belt too tight either !!

Many thanks

[Belle427]

Is the car battery ok?
Just wondering if the load on the alternator is too much or does it do it all the time?
They do need to be a little tighter than normal i find on these, not sure why.

[tommysport]

Belle427 said:

Is the car battery ok?
Just wondering if the load on the alternator is too much or does it do it all the time?
They do need to be a little tighter than normal i find on these, not sure why.

Hmm, interesting point.

I have a voltmeter, shall I just try and get a reading while off and running? It has a battery cut off in the boot so it's really tight and hard to get too!

It only does it from cold, and it's like a start up squeal and goes within 2 seconds.

I don't know the age of the battery as I only got the car about 7 months ago but it's not been used much over winter, albeit it was disconnected, another thing to consider I guess

[Belle427]

You could check the voltage as suggested, across battery not running you should see close to 12.6 Volts. Car running around 14 Volts.
There are some charts online that explain capacities and what to expect, ie close to 12 Volt not running suggests a dead battery.

[iguana]

My adjuster bolt was snapped, had similar issue. The belts need to be tighter than you'd think. Remember you've got to slacken the other bolt before tightning.

Mx5 parts stock the bolts.