Name that squeak!

Hi guys,

I have a squeak that I can't really track down as it only does it in gear and under load and it sounds like it's coming from the engine bay.

I recently fitted a new idler pulley and serpentine/auxiliary belt. However, I drove to work with no belt and pulley off so not either of those. But...it wasn't doing it before the belt and pulley went gaga.

I thought it might be air coming out from the EGR blanking plate as there is some obvious recent black residue on the block side. I just tightened and gunked the seal up with gun gum but it's no different.

MP3 below, apologies for the wind... oooh errr

http://www.huffhuff.co.uk/downloads/squeak.mp3

Starling in the engine bay?

My Defender 90 makes a similar squeak but I know that is is just because the top left fir tree plug holding the passenger side door card on has snapped and it squeaks against the door with the engine vibration under load. Could it just be loose trim and coincidental with the pulley and belt change?

Turbo?

Doey68 said:

Starling in the engine bay?

My Defender 90 makes a similar squeak but I know that is is just because the top left fir tree plug holding the passenger side door card on has snapped and it squeaks against the door with the engine vibration under load. Could it just be loose trim and coincidental with the pulley and belt change?

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Ha, unlikely as both door cards are in my shed

It's definitely when under 'load'. If I sit idle and rev, no squeak. I'll try narrowing down the area of squeakage further. One of the UJs is a tad wobbly, but really only a mm or so?!?

mick the builder said:

Turbo?

Click to expand...

Is there anyway I can test the turbo? The turbo is still whining like normal...

A duff UJ is a classic squeak maker. Take the prop off and have a good look, or fill it full of grease and see if it goes away for a bit.

Is it definitely coming from the front of the engine bay? I had a squeak under power in 2013 that turned out to be to do with the handbrake mechanism. I think Bankz5152 had something similar too. Mine was cured by new shoes and springs on the handbrake. Might be a good idea to go for a little drive with the drum off (preferably not somewhere where you'll have to do a hill start) and see if it's different.

Was it doing it with the belt and tensioner off? What make was the tensioner pulley? I wouldn't discount it just because it's new. Mine has started making a similar noise and it appears to be coming from the tensioner - its definitely drive belt related as the noise goes when you ease pressure off the tensioner with the engine running. I was going to get one on Monday from British Parts but I think that's where you got yours from wasn't it? If it is the tensioner on yours I think I'll go elsewhere

Whoops, just noticed it was the idler, not the tensioner that fell apart on your car

jonny2tanx said:

Whoops, just noticed it was the idler, not the tensioner that fell apart on your car

Click to expand...

Yep, it was a genuine LR idler that I bought, not the tensioner. I did get it from British parts though. £20ish I think... No other authorised LR dealer/specialist had it in. They could get next day but cheapest quote was £60!!!!!

Also, when the pulley broke and the belt snapped, I took the pulley off. Drove to to work the next morning, no belt or pulley and it was squeaking then... I'm sure of it

You didn't happen to be going up M1 a couple of hours ago, coming off at A5/Markyate junction?

huffhuff said:

You didn't happen to be going up M1 a couple of hours ago, coming off at A5/Markyate junction?

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No, it wasn't me, although that would be my junction. We are in Bromley in, dare I say it, my other halfs Beemer?

Did you get the locking issue sorted or do you still need a plug in?

jonny2tanx said:

No, it wasn't me, although that would be my junction. We are in Bromley in, dare I say it, my other halfs Beemer?

Did you get the locking issue sorted or do you still need a plug in?

Click to expand...

Yep, still need a plug in just finding the time

Maybe next time you're going to British Parts...

Ok, so the squeaking was the front prop UJ. Jammed it full of grease and the budgie disappeared.

Rang the local shop, they tapped in my reg and said the UJ I needed was in stock. Picked it up (and another as a spare) and came home happy. Just taken the prop off, remove the naff UJ, offered it up to the new one...different sizes.

The old knackered one is about 90mm (ish) from cup to cup and the new one is 75mm. So, which one do I now need go buy?



Cheers in advance

Just did some googling. Is it RTC3458g that I need? Are there only the two sizes?

Mine is a 2001 90 - so should be the smaller, 75mm UJ. I guess the prop has been changed at some point?