Technical Cambelt and Aux Belt

[Adam1984]

Hello.

So I had a new Cambelt and water pump kit fitted 2 weeks ago. (INA-Schaeffler) It made a horrible noise once completed, like an angry go kart when reach 1500-2000 rpm and wanting to change gear.

I took it back the garage yesterday, they checked the torque etc and said it was fine. They then pointed that the noise could be the freewheel clutch in the alternator and possible belt as this wasn't changed.

If I post some videos with sounds can you tell me if it sounds normal please? And if all looks ok?

 

[bugsymike]

Hello.

So I had a new Cambelt and water pump kit fitted 2 weeks ago. (INA-Schaeffler) It made a horrible noise once completed, like an angry go kart when reach 15000-20000 rpm and wanting to change gear.

I took it back the garage yesterday, they checked the torque etc and said it was fine. They then pointed that the noise could be the freewheel clutch in the alternator and possible belt as this wasn't changed.

If I post some videos with sounds can you tell me if it sounds normal please? And if all looks ok?

If it didn't do it before then it points to something they did!
Pretty high revving Panda 20,000.
Can't see the videos.
Is it possible to remove alternator belt safely and test, if noise still there then down to cambelt job.

 

[Adam1984]

If it didn't do it before then it points to something they did!
Pretty high revving Panda 20,000.
Can't see the videos.
Is it possible to remove alternator belt safely and test, if noise still there then down to cambelt job.

I mean 1500 to 2000 rpm.

 

[bugsymike]

I mean 1500 to 2000 rpm.

If alternator belt slipping making the noise then usually visually slack and with engine off if you pressed on belt with your finger, also usually more noticeable from cold as belt gets more sticky and grips better when warm , also if noise gets worse if you put load on like headlights or heater fan etc. to make alternator work harder.
Also if belt loose , they are the ones who disturbed it and should have readjusted it correctly after fitting the cam belt.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Hello.

So I had a new Cambelt and water pump kit fitted 2 weeks ago. (INA-Schaeffler) It made a horrible noise once completed, like an angry go kart when reach 1500-2000 rpm and wanting to change gear.

I took it back the garage yesterday, they checked the torque etc and said it was fine. They then pointed that the noise could be the freewheel clutch in the alternator and possible belt as this wasn't changed.

If I post some videos with sounds can you tell me if it sounds normal please? And if all looks ok?

No its the belt. I hate the noise mine makes. Its had a second tensioner which made little difference. Gates kit?

 

[Adam1984]

No its the belt. I hate the noise mine makes. Its had a second tensioner which made little difference. Gates kit?

The brand was INA.

So what's the noise, and what do I need to change or do?

 

[bugsymike]

No its the belt. I hate the noise mine makes. Its had a second tensioner which made little difference. Gates kit?

If not sure it's the cam belt then OP can try this to prove it's the alternator belt and can make the noise by someone revving the engine , then just give a spray of WD40 directly on to the belt and noise should go away.
WD40 soon comes off so no long term problem trying that.

 

[The Panda Nut]

The brand was INA.

So what's the noise, and what do I need to change or do?

I dont know what causes the noise but reports on here of this noise are common. Slightly off sized belt teeth maybe or just different construction. Mines been done for months now and it runs well but whines. Others on here report the same. Changing again in uneconomic I think. As far as I can tell its irritating and not a significant mechanical problem. BugsyMikes suggestions to test are sound try them if you want to be sure its nothing else.

 

[Adam1984]

I dont know whatcauses the noise but reports on here of noise are common. Slightly off sized bet tetth maybe or just different construction. Mines been done for months now and it runs well but whines. Others on here report the same. Changing again in uneconomic I think. As far as I can tell its irritating and not a significant mechanical problem,

Ok thank you. So just keep the Cambelt as it is.

Would it be worth changing the alternator belt too, as shouldn't they be done at the same time? Would I need the pulley too or will just the belt be fine?

Know what teeth variant I need?

Also others on another forum said my alternator on my car does not have a freewheel clutch, is this correct?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Ok thank you. So just keep the Cambelt as it is.

Would it be worth changing the alternator belt too, as shouldn't they be done at the same time? Would I need the pulley too or will just the belt be fine?

Know what teeth variant I need?

Also others on another forum said my alternator on my car does not have a freewheel clutch, is this correct?

Yes I would do the Aux belt as well as a matter of course for peace of mind. Shop4Parts will be able to sella Fiat original at a discount. I keep my old aux belt in my spare wheel well as an emergency spare just in case.

 

[Adam1984]

Yes I would do the Aux belt as well as a matter of course for peace of mind. Shop4Parts will be able to sella Fiat original at a discount. I keep my old aux belt in my spare wheel well as an emergency spare just in case.

So just the belt would be ok.

Nothing else? Thank you

 

[The Panda Nut]

So just the belt would be ok.

Nothing else? Thank you

Thats whgat I do Cam belt with tensioners and water pump, i.e. full kit, and just the AUX belt. WHile that is offthe alternator bearings air con pump and tensioners can be checked but are not usual candidates for routine change.

 

[Adam1984]

Thats whgat I do Cam belt with tensioners and water pump, i.e. full kit, and just the AUX belt. WHile that is offthe alternator bearings air con pump and tensioners can be checked but are not usual candidates for routine change.

Know what aux belt size I need for my vehicle? As a different variety of options come up when I enter my reg on sites. Best to get a genuine one from shop4parts?

 

[The Panda Nut]

Know what aux belt size I need for my vehicle? As a different variety of options come up when I enter my reg on sites. Best to get a genuine one from shop4parts?

If you buy from S4P you should get great service, the correct parts or decent quality and a proper parts warranty. Certainly they are my first stop when looking for parts. Their site should lead you straight to the right part. If in doubt send them (Mick) a message from their website and you will get a fast response.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The alternator has a clutch and if that’s faulty, replacing the alternator belt won’t help. If it’s a belt squeal it will do it as you accelerate from rest and stop squealing as you ease off. If its the clutch, this tends not to squeal as you accelerate but does as you back off (ie the opposite to a loose belt).

To replace the alternator clutch means removing the alternator and then using puller to pull the pulley/clutch off. It’s better to just replace the alternator- but do check to get the exact replacement as there are various versions depending on tbe engine and the car’s spec.

 

[Adam1984]

The alternator has a clutch and if that’s faulty, replacing the alternator belt won’t help. If it’s a belt squeal it will do it as you accelerate from rest and stop squealing as you ease off. If its the clutch, this tends not to squeal as you accelerate but does as you back off (ie the opposite to a loose belt).

To replace the alternator clutch means removing the alternator and then using puller to pull the pulley/clutch off. It’s better to just replace the alternator- but do check to get the exact replacement as there are various versions depending on tbe engine and the car’s spec.

Is it possible though for the alternator to be replaced at only 60,000 miles?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Yes! Mine (in a 4x4 Panda) was replaced at 55,000 miles, having been damaged by driving through pretty shallow water. It sits very low in the car and got grit into the (alternator) clutch and caused it to fail. One very good reason to keep away from deep puddles or floods (sorry…)

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Coming back to this, @Adam1984. Does your car have stop/start? (Apologies if this is referenced in another post). If you don't have stop start, then you won't have an 'intelligent' alternator, and so won't have a freewheel clutch on it either.

I can't hear anything particularly 'unusual' in your videos... when my alternator clutch was failing it screamed like a whistling firework!

 

[Adam1984]

Coming back to this, @Adam1984. Does your car have stop/start? (Apologies if this is referenced in another post). If you don't have stop start, then you won't have an 'intelligent' alternator, and so won't have a freewheel clutch on it either.

I can't hear anything particularly 'unusual' in your videos... when my alternator clutch was failing it screamed like a whistling firework!

Thanks.

No it doesn't have start stop. It's basically just a high pitch noise when accelerating and just before changing gear. It's also very noticeable when idle from a while.

Maybe just get the new aux belt anyway and see if that fixes anything?

Any specific brand to get, am looking at Gates and Dayco, is it 4 ribbed?

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

I would buy from Shop4Parts and they'll check against your VIN or registration number - whichever brand(s) they sell will be good. Probably Fiat part number 46736814 though. You can twist the belt round and count the ribs (it should be possible to twist it round through 90 degrees and maybe a bit more). If it easily twists further than this, it's too loose, and may be the cause of the noise (and if so, try tightening it before buying a new one. It's tightened by loosening the upper alternator bolt and levering the alternator against the engine then doing the bolt up again.)