Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all,

When I start the engine from cold, there's a scraping metallic noise (hard to describe but kind of like an angry vacuum cleaner). Once the engine has run enough to stand a blip of revs, it will disappear after the battery light goes out and won't come back again until the next day.

Hard to tell, but the noise seems to be coming from lower down than the alternator. So I'm guessing it could be the starter motor. Is there anything I should do?

Thanks,
Duncs

Yes you should find where it's coming from, you hope it's alternator or water pump or tappets becuase the alternative is bad news.

I'd start by removing the fan/aux belt, start the engine and run it BRIEFLY ( say 30 seconds) to see if the noise disappears, then refit belt.
if not that then get a pipe and use it like a stethoscope to try and home in on the noise, doubt it's starter but I could be stuck and not disengaging.

Post a vid/ sound clip sometimes helps but noises sometimes don't recored well.

Thanks for that. It was fine (no noise) this morning and this evening. The Mrs is taking it to Cropredy this weekend. Assuming it comes back in one piece I'll try slipping the belt off and poking around with the stethoscope the next time it happens.

Does sound a bit like a sticking starter motor, but then the garage did change the water pump a month or two ago too.

Who supplied the pump? Crappy ones have been known to pack-up incredibly quick.

what2d wrote:Who supplied the pump? Crappy ones have been known to pack-up incredibly quick.

I'm not sure who they used for suppliers but I bet it wasn't Brickwerks. Can't see any branding on the pump.

Removing the belt like Itchy suggested will either rule out or help confirm a lot. Give it a go and report back.

Yep will do. The noise has gone away the last couple of days (I'm not complaining!) If/when it comes back I'll be sure to post an update. Thanks!

dsmith1974 wrote:Yep will do. The noise has gone away the last couple of days (I'm not complaining!) If/when it comes back I'll be sure to post an update. Thanks!

I'd be more worried about it disappearing of it's own accord!!