Hello all, resident car hypochondriac here.
I've only really noticed now in the cold mornings but when I start the car, there's a constant squeak. Once it's warmed up, quiet as a mouse - runs sweet as a nut. I've heard the words alternator and air-con something or other mentioned - particular on the Focus and either something needs lining up, or tightening.
Any ideas?
Next "problem" (and I say this because they don't bother me but I wouldn't mind getting them sorted. Again, when cold, I'll be driving out of the estate so using around 1st to 3rd. When the revs get to around 2,500, there's a strange noise. It's almost like a vibration - seems to be coming from the engine (my sister noticed it before me). I noticed this when dipping the clutch and the revs rose but upon investigating the problem, it does this when revving in neutral.
I can't be more specific than that I'm afriad although this too disappears when warm. Crazy.
I would be most appreciative of any ideas. If it's a garage job, I'm not going to bother but I would like to know what they are.
Many thanks,
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Adam
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You don't say how old your Focus is, or how many miles it's done, but I've got a similar thing on my (5 year old, 100k miles) Focus, but sometimes it could be described as a sort of squeak, and sometimes a sort of vibration noise. It also only appeared at certain revs and (used to) disappear when the engine was warmed up, so this could apply to either, neither, or both of the noises you describe.
Anyway, after it's last service, it turns out it is the down-pipe on or to the CAT. Basically there's a steel mesh around the CAT that over time has worn itself loose, so it's not taut around the pipe anymore and so rattles. When the engine (and exhaust) had warmed up, I guess it loosened some more or tightened up to a point where it didn't rattle.
Either way, that was 15k miles ago, and it's rattling all the time now. Doesn't sound any worse than your average diesel though. ;o)
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Adam,
Re: the belt squeak, my TDDi does this intermittently as well. Some mornings you get a light squeak which disappears after a minute or so, other times you get a pronounced squeal, and other times nothing at all.
I reported it at the last service, and the dealer changed the auxiliary belt. This shut it up for about 5,000 miles and it's now come back. 5,000 miles later it hasn't got any worse.
Can't help on the vibe though.
Cheers
Dan
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Many thanks for both of your replies - I would have answered earlier but it was nestled down the bottom of the page and I forgot all about it.
The car about 5 years old with not much over 60k on. Given that both of you seem to have the same problems and nothing adverse has gone wrong, I'm tempted to leave it. The vibration isn't a problem after 10 minutes and the squeak is only noticable very early on in the journey - even then only with the window open. If changing the belt is only going to delay it for a short while then there doesn't seem much point in rectifying it.
Again, many thanks for your help,
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Adam
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Sprinkle a little bit of water on the belt (engine running) - if it shuts up then the belt could do with changing.
When you put a new belt on retension it after 500miles.
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Thanks Aprilia, but just a few things.
1) Is this a job I could do (see 2)
2) As a pre-requisite for 1), I really don't know that much under the bonnet - e.g. looking at the engine, on the left there is a belt which until corrected, thought was the timing belt. You see my point
3) Where is the belt?
Many thanks
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Adam
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I'm not sure which model you have, but the focus uses a 'serpentine belt' (i.e. a long belts which twists and turns its way around the crank pully, aircon pully, PAS pulley, alternator, plus a couple of idler pulleys). When you start the car the alternator operates at high output (to replenish the battery) and so presents a high load. The belt is cold and less compliant. It slips slightly and makes a high-pitches 'singing' whine. Sprinkle a little water over the serpentine belt and it will go quiet. After five years the friction surface will be polished and hardened. Make sure you retension the belt after 500 miles (initially they stretch a bit). You can do all of this yourself with a few basic tools.
The serpentine belt is not the timing belt - you can't see the timing belt.
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You do amaze me Aprilia knowing all this!
It's the 1.8 lump - so dumbing it down significantly more (sorry) the engine with the Zetec written on it etc..., to the left of that, there is a belt which I can't see much of so can't tell if it twists and turns - what belt is that?
Again, many thanks - if ever I see you, you can have a pint....oh go on then - 2.
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Adam
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Yes, standing looking at the engine with the bonnet up the serpentine belt is at the left against the inner wing.
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Cheers Aprilia - I'll have a look tomorrow.
Also, thanks for not being patronising!
:-)
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Adam
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Something I have mentioned on here several times - Holts Rubber Lubricant Spray.
So long as the belt hasn't already gone hard and shiny, give it an occasional blast with this stuff and it will keep it flexible and pliable. It's good on door rubbers, washing machine belts,........
Those who think squash is competitive should watch flower-arranging.
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