Box of Budgies

[DevonDavid]

The front of my engine sounds like a very loud box of budgies. Have tried sprinkling a load of "trill" over the serpentine belt, but that hasn't solved the problem. Its very difficult to hear exactly where its coming from - tensioner, water pump, alternator or just the belt. Have read through all the posts about similar problems, and thought it might be the tensioner bearing, but have replaced that and the noise is still there !
It is very loud until eveything gets warm, then it starts to die down a bit. I have tried spraying some water on the belt, and that seems to cure it for a few seconds. So ........ is it most likely that I need to replace the complete tensioner assembly, or would it be best to try a new belt before anything else. I know I could live with it, but it is very embarrassing driving through the village at night 'cos it wakes everyone up !
Cheers.
David.

 

[Stickybackbob]

Have you tried putting a washer or 1p piece behind the tensioner assembly?

I had the same problem, replaced the bearing and the noise was still there. Put a thin washer behind the tensioner at the 9 o'clock position and all has been quiet since.

 

[hughesy]

Would have thought trying a new belt first was the sensible option. If it does turn out to be any of the other things it won't have hurt to have a new belt on anyway.

 

[thebiglad]

Have you tried putting a washer or 1p piece behind the tensioner assembly?

I had the same problem, replaced the bearing and the noise was still there. Put a thin washer behind the tensioner at the 9 o'clock position and all has been quiet since.

Try the penny trick, it's costs nothing to try and it worked for me.

I'm the bloke who bought(£40+vat) a new assy BEFORE trying this trick..................................the new one is still in the box.

Give it a go, yes I know it doesn't make sense, but it works.

Cheers
Dave

 

[Toad]

Just replaced the belt on mine and problem gone again for 7-8000 mile. Then we'll do it all over again.

 

[Bluestrobe]

Can you expand on this solution and tell me exactly which part of the tensioner the penny should be placed behind and how is it secured(drilled/glued)? I've got a replacement bearing but I'm keen to take the easy option

Cheers,
Steve

 

[battenberg]

Can you expand on this solution and tell me exactly which part of the tensioner the penny should be placed behind and how is it secured(drilled/glued)? I've got a replacement bearing but I'm keen to take the easy option

Cheers,
Steve

remember when replacing the bearing that there's a left hand thread in the mix!!! dont ask me how I know...Doh!

 

[DevonDavid]

Thanks for the replies. Just to be clear ........... I need to loosen the whole tensioner assembly and trap a thin washer or one-penny piece between the block and the tensioner assembly at roughly the "nine o'clock" position ?
If it works, they will stop singing Nessun Dorma everytime I drive past the pub !!
Cheers,
David.

 

[thebiglad]

Can you expand on this solution and tell me exactly which part of the tensioner the penny should be placed behind and how is it secured(drilled/glued)? I've got a replacement bearing but I'm keen to take the easy option

Cheers,
Steve

This is very straightforward and will take you about three minutes.

There are two fastenings on this assembly, the first one holds the idler wheel onto the assembly, the second one holds the assembly onto the engine.

What you will be doing is to place between the assy and the engine a penny piece, such that it alters the geometry of the assy by comparison to the other pulleys.

Ok so how do you do it??

Remove the top plastic cover from the cooling fan.

First, get a suitable sized (for the idler pulley nut) socket on a long socket driver or breaker bar to give plenty of leverage. Use that on the nut levering anticlockwise against the spring tension such that it lifts the idler wheel upwards, allowing you to slip the rubber belt from under it.

Next, using a suitable sized socket, slacken the assembly mounting bolt so that you can slip a penny between the assy and the engine, placing it at 9 'o clock. Slip it in far enough so that you can only just see it and then retighten the mounting bolt.

When retightened the penny is locked in place, so now just lift the idler wheel once more, slip the rubber belt underneath and release the tension.

And there you have it - almost certainly your budgies will have flown the coup.

Hope that helps

Cheers and good luck

Dave

 

[Bluestrobe]

Superb, many thanks!!

 

[DevonDavid]

Ditto as Bluestrobe. Many thanks. I'll report back once the job is done. Just got to persuade the wife that the additional expense is justified !!

 

[DevonDavid]

Considered the cheap option by using a washer, but then decided to go the distance and do the job properly. I can report that the insertion of a one penny piece between the tensioner assembly and the engine block has totally cured the problem. Took five minutes to do.
Worth the expense and thoroughly recommended for anyone with a similar problem. Thanks (again) to the forum for good advice !
Cheers.
David.