Mi Cambelt Tensioner On Its Way Out?

[Super Josh 4]

Guys

My Mi has just developed a bearing type whine. It's rev dependant, although not there all of the time. It kicks in at around 4K and its note will change as the revs drop and then it disappears at low revs.

I did some investigation by removing the PAS and alternator belts, in turn, to try and isolate the noise. It is still there with both belts removed and appears to be coming from the cambelt end of the engine.

So my thoughts are that one of the cambelt tensioners is on its way out Would a water pump bearing make any noise if that was wearing out? I've stopped driving the car and will strip it down over Christmas to see what the problem could be. Does anyone have any other suggestions for the source of the noise? or any bright ideas on diagnosing the problem? How much harder is changing a 16V cambelt compared to an 8V one? Is it a pain to get the tension correct?

 

 

 

 

Josh

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

I've had Mi16 cambelts whine from being too tight before now.

 

As you say though, some dismantling and checking is in order to see what it wrong.

[Super Josh 4]

I've had Mi16 cambelts whine from being too tight before now.

 

Yeah, but this belt has been on for 20K now.

 

 

Josh

[gti_al 1]

i had exactly the same issue josh. Mine was the waterpump, but a tensioner could show similar symptoms. Get it looked at though, as my waterpump felt awful when it came out - i hate to think what would have happened if i left it

[Super Josh 4]

i had exactly the same issue josh. Mine was the waterpump, but a tensioner could show similar symptoms. Get it looked at though, as my waterpump felt awful when it came out - i hate to think what would have happened if i left it

 

Yeah, that's why I stopped driving it immediately Al!!! So did your water pump feel 'notchy' when you removed it?

 

 

 

 

Josh

[Anthony 1,003]

Mi cambelts aren't too bad to do so long as you've got fairly slim hands - if anything, the hardest bit is removing/refitting the cambelt cover!

[gti_al 1]

Yeah, that's why I stopped driving it immediately Al!!! So did your water pump feel 'notchy' when you removed it?

Josh

 

very. It was only a few thousand kms old, but it had been leaking

 

It is only winging at high revs?

[jackherer 543]

My friends car did the same, we stripped it and it was a tensioner virtually falling apart. And it wasn't very old...

[Super Josh 4]

very. It was only a few thousand kms old, but it had been leaking

 

It is only winging at high revs?

 

Yep, at around 4K it starts making a din and then it sounds like a dry bearing noise as it falls back to idle

 

 

My friends car did the same, we stripped it and it was a tensioner virtually falling apart. And it wasn't very old...

 

Well I've bought a new belt and a couple of tensioners, so looks like I will be out in the cold over Christmas

 

 

 

 

Josh

[sorr 0]

Mi cambelts aren't too bad to do so long as you've got fairly slim hands - if anything, the hardest bit is removing/refitting the cambelt cover!

 

Yeah my hands are a little too fat and I have to call in an Anthony

[gti_al 1]

Yep, at around 4K it starts making a din and then it sounds like a dry bearing noise as it falls back to idle

 

That sounds worse than mine. It would wine at highish revs, but it disappeared again below 4k rpm

 

There isn't much it can be other than the belt/pump/tensioners, so replacing them should fit it. I suspect the problem will be pretty obvious though. When you are under there could you please get some pics of the aircon setup? I am regretting ditching mine now it is hot here......

[Super Josh 4]

When you are under there could you please get some pics of the aircon setup? I am regretting ditching mine now it is hot here......

 

That sounds really funny to me at the moment, as it's about 1 degree outside No problem on taking some pics for you Al, what exactly would you like Pics of?

 

 

 

 

Josh

[gti_al 1]

That sounds really funny to me at the moment, as it's about 1 degree outside No problem on taking some pics for you Al, what exactly would you like Pics of?

Josh

 

It is actually bloody freezing here too now... it was about 18 or something today, which is cold for december. Suspect it will be back up to high 30s again shortly though

 

I'm interested to see how the pump fits with the oil filter/rad. Does fitting air con make it impossible to get at stuff under there?

[Super Josh 4]

I'm interested to see how the pump fits with the oil filter/rad. Does fitting air con make it impossible to get at stuff under there?

 

Yeah, the Compressor does make things a little tight down there Although, it's not much worse than an 8V with PAS. Just means you have a compressor rather than a PAS pump in the way. I use the remote oil/water heat exchanger, so that keeps makes the oil filter a cinch to change.

 

 

Josh

[kyepan 291]

make sure you get new tensioner bolts, the hex ones tend to round leading to nightmares in confined spaces.

 

like anthony says the cover is the hardest bit.

 

tension the pullies evenly, you should get 70 degree deflection on the longest front run of the pully when its right (it will whine a bit if too tight)

[Sloppy 0]

IVE SEEN WATER PUMPS FAIL AND START WORKING INTO THE ACTUAL PUMP, i.e the wheel of the pump was cutting toward the block!

 

Also seen some bad tensioers with poor bearings, seem randome really some on 100k are spot on some are clearly worn.

 

Well worth delving in with dodgy noises!