Xsara 1.4 Transmission Noise?

[boroboy]

Hi all,

I own a 1.4 Xsara, 02, 81,000, FCSH. Had the car a week now & have noticed a transmission type noise, it's when you accelerate. Could it be the alternator belt? Timing belt changed at 75,000, but alternator belt squeaks slightly when cold, on closer inspection, outer edge starting to look perished. The only way I can describe the noise is it sounds like (showing my age now). When you used to have to fit a suppressor to your radio cassette, if you didn't you'd hear allot of background noise whilst accelerating. This noise sounds like that, not as amplified though & my cd player switched off. Still makes the same noise whether your accelerating or just revving the car from a standing position.

 

Any ideas?

[iannez]

could be alternator. place the blade of a long screwdriver on the alternator housing and put your ear against the other end and get some one to rev the car. you will know straight away if its the alternator.

[boroboy]

could be alternator. place the blade of a long screwdriver on the alternator housing and put your ear against the other end and get some one to rev the car. you will know straight away if its the alternator.

iannez,

Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. I thought it may have been the belt.

 

G.

[iannez]

the only way a bely will make a noise is if its to tight. does it have a spring loaded tensioner or a manual one.

[iannez]

belt that is not bely lol

[boroboy]

belt that is not bely lol

The MK1 Xsaras, had separate alternator, PAS belts. Think the MK2's have just the one, bit like the Lag's (Laguna). Think it may be manual, but not 100% sure. Belt looks perished on the outer edge, also squeaks for a few seconds when car is cold.

 

If the timing belt was fitted too tight, could that give the same noise? As it was replace 5,000 miles ago by the previous owner.

 

Suppose the alternator, pas belt would be the cheapest option first.

[iannez]

the cam belt would make the same noise if to tight but would check alternator first. the trouble with cambelts some ppl think they need to be realy tight to avoid slipping and this is not the case. a correcty tensioned cam belt feels quite loose and you should be able to twist it 1/4 of a turn each way on the longest run between pullys

[boroboy]

the cam belt would make the same noise if to tight but would check alternator first. the trouble with cambelts some ppl think they need to be realy tight to avoid slipping and this is not the case. a correcty tensioned cam belt feels quite loose and you should be able to twist it 1/4 of a turn each way on the longest run between pullys

I'm going to get the alternator belt changed, as belt perished. The lady whom last owned my car had a major service done at 75,900 miles & the main dealer changed the cam belt, but didn't change the alternator belt. Can't believe that, as alternator belt has to come off anyway. My car has now covered 80,000 miles. I've now owned Xsaras for around 1 year & am picking up most of the usual faults. At least my head gasket is not leaking oil (touch wood).

 

Like the car, little under powered, doesn't need 195/55/15 tyres either, not a 1.4. Perhaps the 1.6 vtr would.

 

Was going to get rid of car, but now going to stick with it. Try to live with 1.4 engine, insurance not a prob to me now, just wanted a low maintenance, low petrol consumption family vehicle (fingers crossed), with a good sized boot.

 

Have done 90% on previous car maintenance myself, HG changes etc. Now wanting to take things easy a bit.

 

Was a little embarrassed over the weekend, went one family hol & 2 vans passed me on motor way (up hill), first time ever. Dropped it into 4'rth no power.

 

What are you driving at the mo?

 

When do I get my advanced member ticket? More into tech stuff, rather than boy racer stuff.