Intermittent whistling at idle?

  1. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Newmarket, Suffolk Posts: 147 02/52 1.1i Desire
    #1
    Hey all,

    My car has just crossed 90K miles relatively problem free so I guess it's about time...

    Recently it's started to make a whistling noise when idle, like a constant-tone but intermittent whistling, fairly high-pitched. It doesn't do it until it's warmed up.

    It is only on idle and it goes away when you rev the engine and it's far more noticeable with lights on, believe it or not, or when I turn the steering. Clutch or brake pedal has no impact whatsoever; it almost sounds like squeaky brakes, just without the braking!

    I've tried adjusting the alternator belt but the problem remains. It really is intermittent and it seems to depend on something totally random other than having the lights on makes it much louder.

    Any ideas? Curious one!
  2. Established Member Joined: May 2012 West Yorkshire Posts: 1806 Civic EP2
    #2
    Sounds like alternator bearings to me
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2011 Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 7779 Phase 2 VTS , E61 M5
    #3
    Supercharged?
  4. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Newmarket, Suffolk Posts: 147 02/52 1.1i Desire
    #4
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MuZiZZle View Post
    Supercharged?
    Haha! Good one! One day...

    I've thought it could be alternator bearings to be honest but the belt tension really is as loose as it can be before the belt starts squealing like an angry pig, which is why I adjusted it in the first place.

    It took me about 20 minutes of adjusting and starting and revving to make sure the belt doesn't slip, and now on the very limits of it being loose enough to slip, the car's telling me that it's too tight? Can't win! Bloody French engineering... cars really are as contrary as some women

    Should I make the belt loose again and see if it goes away? But what's worse/more expensive: slipping belt or stressed bearings?
  5. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #5
    Disconnect the belt and spin the alternator,can you hear anything?
  6. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Newmarket, Suffolk Posts: 147 02/52 1.1i Desire
    #6
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by stevo67 View Post
    Disconnect the belt and spin the alternator,can you hear anything?
    I'll try that if I get time this afternoon.

    I guess since it only does it when warm it could be the bearing... I'll let you know!
  7. L-plater Joined: Jun 2011 yorkshire Posts: 69 2002 Desire 1.1 Posi Blue
    #7
    Just take the belt off and start the car, if you get any of the whistling noises then it's definitely not the alternator, if you don't it's probably the alternator bearings.. or a dodgy belt.
  8. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Newmarket, Suffolk Posts: 147 02/52 1.1i Desire
    #8
    Interestingly, it's stopped doing it the last few days - must have known I was talking about it...

    As I say it only does it when warm so next time I catch it out I'll take the belt off and see if it makes a difference.

    Since it's fairly inconsistent I'm going to ignore it for now!
  9. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Stoke-on-trent Posts: 2640 Mk5 Golf GTTDI Mk2 VTR Project
    #9
    I've been ignoring the screeching noise my clutching release bearing is making for about 4 years and it's still going lol..
  10. Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2010 Newmarket, Suffolk Posts: 147 02/52 1.1i Desire
    #10
    Been there, done that too!

    But, had to have the cambelt changed too so thought I'd blow a hole in my wallet and get both done at the same time! The hole still hasn't sealed either