Tapping / Chain Like High Pitched Noises

[fresco3000]

Hi Guys,

It's that time of the year when something goes wrong.

This past couple of weeks a light high pitch tapping has developed and now at times sounds almost like a chain ringing.

The sound only happens when starting up or in low gears, on the motorway at speed there are no odd sounds.

Thoughts?

[Aidan]

If it happens at start up and low gears then suspect clutch or gearbox; if you haven't done it recently maybe change the gearbox oil and see what the drainplug magnet tells you

[fresco3000]

Cheers Aidan,

Imagine the gear oil has never been changed. The noise really seems to be coming from the engine tho.

I'm new to this stuff and picking up bits as things go wrong. It did a bit of screeching today too.

[Aidan]

screeching suggests alternator/water pump V belt so check the belt tension and solidness of the alternator bracket and see if water pump is okay, might be worth taking the belt off to have a feel of both and fitting a new belt keeping the old one as the emergency spare which you should always carry. Learn how to change belt and set the belt tension; if the alternator light ever comes on when driving, stop as soon as possible and check the belt, engine can live without alternator as battery will keep ignition running for a while but without water pump engine will cook and die, if you wait for the temp light to also come one it maybe too late

[fresco3000]

I did the belt a while ago, it's fine. It's a different kind of screeching. I'll try to post a video of the issues.

[fresco3000]

It makes the noises when static, they appear to come from the engine. I've looked at other posts on here but none seem to be quite the same issue. Would gearbox oil affect it even when idling having just been started?

[fresco3000]

Here's a video, the tapping isn't as audible here but the other noises are, any ideas?

[Aidan]

take the aux belt off and run it briefly, if the noise is gone then it's waterpump (my guess) or alternator; if it's still there then it's valvetrain I think; it's also possible it's clutch related, easier to check out the ancillaries and the valvetrain than the clutch, so I'd look at those first

others will doubtless have better ideas

[fresco3000]

Bang on Aidan!

Took the belt off, not a squeak.

Now to pick up an alternator at a reasonable price.

If you're ever in St Albans beers are on me.