Annoying noise. Please help!!

[Duncan754]

Hi Guys,

I'll get straight into it. 05 Berlingo, 57k miles on the clock. Just had its cam belt done a week ago. The next day from cold start up, I noticed this high pitch sqeak / Buzzing sound from the engine which lasted about 5 seconds. Took it back to garage. They recommend the Auxiliary Belt and pulley could do with being changed as they are worn out and that could be the reason for the noise. Took their advice on board and had the work carried out. Since then the sound is lasting longer on start up and even carries on intermittently  when im driving. The only way to make it stop is to put the clutch in. This leads me to think the sound is clutch related. Could the clutch be on its way out or is it a  baring which needs replacing? 

Any help you be much appreciated!!

Ive attached a link to this so you can hear the noise im talking about. 

[Duncan754]

The video doesn't seem to be working on the post. Try this one
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TiyIqzwN7R8

[Sol]

Most likely the clutch release bearing if it disappears when you press the clutch, but to me it sounds like the timing belt tensioner or the alternator bearing. The clutch release is usually a deeper tone and more clattery. Could also be the water pump bearing. Does it speed up exactly in time with revs or is it a non changing noise?

You can try squirting soapy water at various things, since it will temporarily quieten a bad bearing but not make belts slip for more than a few secs. Better than wd40 for that kind of test.

[Duncan754]

Its a consistent noise which is pretty much constant when Im driving and when idling, the noise comes and goes.

[Sol]

Ok, I'd suspect the idler pulley / tensioner or the alternator bearing as it does sound like one of those, or even the water pump bearing. The best thing is to get someone who can, to listen closely using a rod to their ear, without getting injured, and locate the noise. You can also use a length of plastic hose or tube with the end in your ear and pointing the other end at various things till it sounds loudest. Or go back to the garage who did the timing belt and say OI that's not right..can you look at it.

[Duncan754]

Great, thanks for your help. One thing that still confuses me is why the noise goes away when I put the clutch in? I would have thought the noise must he clutch related but I also no nothing about engines so what do I know! ?

[cancunia]

If it always stops when you put the clutch in, chances are that's where the problem is coming from or possibly the gearbox. It does sound like a belt pulley though. How easy is it to take the aux belt off?

[polar]

When you engage the clutch it takes away a certain amount of drag and that could be the reason the noise stops.

It defo cambelt or auxiliary belt related try loading the alternator with lights heater blower heated mirrors etc and see if it gets worse.

Take it back or somewhere else to get the work checked - to be fair you should not just change the timing belt or it can cause this problem.

Timing belt kit + water pump + auxiliary belt and any necessary tensioners and pulleys - to do the job correctly is not cheap.