Screeching and sometimes takes a while to start, help please

8th April 2013, 18:29

OK so this has just started to happen and never have this problem when cold only when warmed up.

When i go to start the car is makes a sort of screeching/whining sound like something is slipping and car tries to turn over but it cant after a few attempt sit does start and maybe fine for a while but will do the same again at some point.

I suspect it is related to the drivebelt slipping possibly however i replaced this and it still looks brand new however one issue i did have when replacing was tightening it up and can only get it to tighten so much and im not sure if it is to loose ?

One other problem which may be related which again does not happen all time is there there is a hesitation on acceleration that you can sometimes physically see on the rev counter as it freezes then kicks in, it is like kickdown on the old automatics this happens regardless of engine temp.

If there is anything else it could be please advise as its difficult to troubleshoot and the drivebelt issue only happens when car has been running for some time in respect like the fan has kicked in a few times during the night so engine is hot lol.

Car is a VTS if that helps at all.

Thanks in advance

8th April 2013, 18:35

A metallic screeching and struggling to turn over could be a worn starter motor?

your alternator belt, at the top (on the longest run) the rule of thumb is you shouldn't be able to twist is more than half a turn.

Not sure about your hesitation, maybe linked to the noise?

It's hard to say without actually seeing it

do you have any friends which could look at the car for ya?

8th April 2013, 18:42

Could be but strange why it only does it when car is extremely hot ?

I will have to check about twisting as never tried that

Noise don't happen with hesitation that seems to just happen at random ?

Unfortunately my friends know less about cars then me lol

8th April 2013, 18:53

when metal heats up, it expands. it could be a slight difference in clearance of a worn part?

I'm only guessing here, might be worth you getting advice from a Peugeot/Citroen mechanic who can look over it for you.

Screeching when starting the car, I'm sure is a worn starter motor.

8th April 2013, 18:56

Gotta agree with the starter motor comments. Defo sounds like that to me as well.

Not to sure about other stuff, but worth checking your aux belt by using the previously mentioned method.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8th April 2013, 18:58

ok so will check the belt but if its loose i have no idea how to tighten it anymore as its as tight as i could get the stupid thing grrrr ??

As for starting i would say it does it about three times then starts fine without any noise at all ???

8th April 2013, 20:55

hi geedawg,

ive had similar issues with my golf... so ill do my best to help...

sounds like serpentine belt to me obv guessing as not seen the car may also be starter failing to engage/disengage properly

the serpentine belt is connected to the alternator, when the belt gets old and worn it becomes loose, on a wet or dewy day on startup the belt can squeal or screeche as it slips whilst the water rubs off the belt around the pullies. obv whilst its slipping the alternator isnt producing current as it should and if you have a weak battery this can impair startup.

worn pullies and tensioners along the serpentine path can also cause the belt to slacken...

if it is the belt or a pulley/tensioner id advise a quick look @ your cam belt as it may too be worn.

also a quick test to see if it is the starter push or hill start the car if you DONT hear a noise its prob the starter and not the belt...

hope this helps

Dutch

8th April 2013, 20:58

just had another thought... a wonkey alternator pulley can also cause noises... slacken the tensioner, take off the belt and spin the alternator pulley by hand look to see if it spins true or wobbles slightly also feel for play in the pulley... ive had brand new ones that are off center from factory and wobble when spun...