Nasty squeaky belt noise on cold starting 1.8
Discussion
Mrs Theboy's mk1 1.8 has started making a nasty squeak on starting up for the first time after 2+ days of no use. The classic belt/water pump noise, but only for ~10 seconds, then it's fine. The kind of fault that's very hard to replicate when I take it to a mechanic, as it's no longer cold.
1. What is this likely to be? Belt/tensioner? Water pump? I know nothing about MX-5 mechanicals so don't flame me for ignorance!
2. Is it worth dealing with now, or waiting ~1,400 miles to the next service?
1. What is this likely to be? Belt/tensioner? Water pump? I know nothing about MX-5 mechanicals so don't flame me for ignorance!
2. Is it worth dealing with now, or waiting ~1,400 miles to the next service?
Probs the alternator belt, squeaking because of the extra initial load on the battery.
Mine did it very occasionaly when the temp was about zero or bellow when starting up for about 3-10 seconds
I just checked I put at little load on the battery when starting and in the initial 20 seconds ie: no radio, lights, blowers etc
Or just change the PAS and alternator belts on the car, its quite a straightforward job for you or a mechanic.
Mine did it very occasionaly when the temp was about zero or bellow when starting up for about 3-10 seconds
I just checked I put at little load on the battery when starting and in the initial 20 seconds ie: no radio, lights, blowers etc
Or just change the PAS and alternator belts on the car, its quite a straightforward job for you or a mechanic.
My mum's 1.8 did that. My dad changed the belt and adjusted the position of the alternator slightly to make the belt sit taught.
She tends not to start cars with any additional load (so no lights, radio, wipers etc and a dipped clutch) but until the belt was changed, it always did it, no matter what.
She tends not to start cars with any additional load (so no lights, radio, wipers etc and a dipped clutch) but until the belt was changed, it always did it, no matter what.
My Mk2.5 was making a similar noise for the past few months, worst when it was coldest. Yesterday the check engine light came on, and on the way to the garage this morning the alternator/battery light came on too. Had a look under the bonnet, alternator belt had snapped. Only just made it to the garage before the battery died completely.
I did over 1000 miles with the alternator belt making that noise, so I think you'll be ok to wait till the next service as long as the check engine light doesn't come on (if Mk1's have those?), if it does get to a garage soon.
I did over 1000 miles with the alternator belt making that noise, so I think you'll be ok to wait till the next service as long as the check engine light doesn't come on (if Mk1's have those?), if it does get to a garage soon.
while that does appear to be a true statement, what does that have to do with a slipping aux belt?
if the edges appear perished, or the load side looks worn then replace it, if not just tighten it up a bit - as the belt wears, the inner side will gain a longer circumference, hence tension starts to reduce
tighten it just so as you can twist the longest length only about 90 degrees as it should be fine
Mine lets out a little chirp on cold starts, im not really fussed about it until it does it for more than a couple of seconds
It is very easy to tension them:
Remove the pipe between the airfilter and intake manifold.. the alternator is below the intake (on the left looking at the engine head on) loosten the adjuster bolt that faces forward on the top of the alternator, then tighten the bolt on the left-top side a couple of turns. as a guide if you try to twist the belt, you it should only twist around 45 degrees..
Its a less than 10 minute job start to finish.
It is very easy to tension them:
Remove the pipe between the airfilter and intake manifold.. the alternator is below the intake (on the left looking at the engine head on) loosten the adjuster bolt that faces forward on the top of the alternator, then tighten the bolt on the left-top side a couple of turns. as a guide if you try to twist the belt, you it should only twist around 45 degrees..
Its a less than 10 minute job start to finish.
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