Squeeky Noise Spoiling my Engines Hum!

[james.ed]

I've got a squeek and I'm struggling to find the cause. Soon as the engines on a high pitched squeek (the kind a sticky cog would cause) happens. Its definatley around something rotating, and the repetition of the squeek fastens with alittle gas. Nothing gets rid of it (although it has vanished and come back quite on its own accord). My belt seems nice and tight, but then I'm not sure how tight tight is. All I know is I hit a pot hole at quite low speed several weeks ago, and since then the squeek followed me everywhere, pretty much continuously. Honetsly, I havn't had time to look around in the engine bay that much due to work, but I'm hoping someone else has had this and can give me a pointer.

If its of any worth - She had a head gassket and valve replaced the night before (plus new shock thingys, rad hoses, wheel assembly... painful MOT + three cylinder engine problems!), but also did a Bristol-London run with no problems (in fact she felt the better than ever).

Ten points for every suggestion of where to look! I hate high pitched squeeks.

[bmcecosse]

What on earth are 'shock thingys' ??? Simple check for squeak - take the fan belt off - does it still squeak? And squirt some oil into the bowels of the dizzy.......

[alainmoran]

Have you over-tightened your fan belt at any point? ... There should be 'some' play in it - you should be able to pull the belt to the side (in the plane of the belt) by about half an inch or so.

My suggestions as to what might cause this would be either water-pump bearings, or alternator bearings.

You can get lubricant that you add to your water to help with the water pump, although replacement will eventually be necessary ... as to the alternator, you will probably need to replace it - personally I would go for uprating it at the same time, there is a 70 amp version of the standard 30 amp job & that extra power can be useful if you like bright headlights & phat sparks ;)

[bmcecosse]

No need for anything like 70 amps on a Minor - the fan belt won't drive it for long if it does ever churn out 70 amps (which is why moderns have multigroove belts) and the cable to the solenoid is not rated for 70 anyway........ and you would need 16 headlamps to use ~ 70 amps...........

[james.ed]

hmm.. after weeks of anoyance the squeek has gone. could it be the little oil i put in the distributer (although it had its last oiling only two months ago) or the little pull on the underside of the alternater (but that wouldn't have tightened it at all).. anyway - thanks for the help. I'm back to happy motoring, and hopefully the alternater can stay put. there is play on the belt so no strain.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

In all these old cars it's a case of 'squeak, rattle and roll', so I wouldn't worry too much.

[David53]

Yes, I agree. If I panicked every time mine developed a new noise I'd be a nervous wreck by now...They tend to come and go...