Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 2004 1.8TDCi Strange noise - not the usual squeal.

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Tue 24 Mar 2009 10:55
2004 1.8TDCi Strange noise - not the usual squeal. - Jasper84
Hi All,

I have a 1.8tdci with 60,000 miles on the clock, serviced regularly with a new cambelt in November. Over the last month or so the engine has developed a noise when starting from cold. The noise sounds like something is pumping up to pressure?! The noise is definately not a squeak/squeal as I would expect from a knackered belt. It doesn't increase, (either in volume or intensity), when the engine is revved and usually disappears after 20 seconds or so. It is coming from the drivers side of the engine around where aux belt etc is.
The battery light has stayed on once and very occasionally the engine revs fluctuate by up to 200rpm either side of idle. The revs only fluctuate while the noise is going on and settles once the noise has stopped. I don't know if these are related but thought it was worth noting them anyway. Other than this the car has always driven fine with no loss of power or smoke etc.
Any help would be much appreciated; I'm not a complete novis but am certainly no F1 mechanic either!!

Thanks.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 24/03/2009 at 12:19

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 24 Mar 2009 11:22
2004 1.8 Strange noise - not the usual squeal... - freman
I had a similar noise to this after a cambelt change on my 1600 petrol Escort. It turned out to be the auxiliary drive belt slipping. This could tie in with the battery light staying on. It recommends in the book that if the auxiliary belt is refitted to make sure it travels in the same direction as before.
I have recently replaced my cam belt again did as recommended and have had no problem.
It could also tie in with the colder weather.
Could be worth trying.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

10 warranty myths exposed

Here’s how to sort the fact from the fiction when it comes to car warranties.

Cheap Car Warranties

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....