Bad noise at startup

[Klive]

Thanks guys for your comments. It's a 2005 car with 86k on the clock.

 

[conaero]

As it has 86k on it I wouldn't run it again, I would have it picked up and looked at Klive.

 

[hodroyd]

I would tend to agree, have it looked at. If you have good oil pressure and there are no coolant problems it might not be the pump. If the noise is nearside front, it still might be the AC pump, the clutch can start to stick, I know I have had one, then it can sieze up totally. An examination is required to establish exactly where the noise eminates from, otherwise it's all guess work until something goes bang..!!

 

[CatmanV2]

Klive, did you get any feedback on this?

C

 

[Klive]

Latest news on this is I believe it to be the alternator. I took it out for a drive during the week with a friend to try and pin point it and a few things happened. When the noise stopped the display inside the car flickered and the car started twice without the noise which then started once moving. No long screwdrivers were available but it was very much from the alternator or pulleys region.

So with some help of a very good "how to" on here the plenum is now off. Next will be to follow another how to, to get the belt loose so I can remove the alternator.

While I'm there the oil pressure sensor will also be replaced, the auxiliary belt and maybe a pulley or two.

In case anyone needs them in future here are the links to the How to's.
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/7556-4200-oil-pressure-sender-removal?
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/457-Auxilliary-drive-belt-change-4200?

 

[Parisien]

Phew........hope it all goes to plan Klive.

P

 

[hodroyd]

You can usually get the alternator refurbed with new brushes, it's quite easy to do yourself if you have the bits..!!

 

[CatmanV2]

I'm a tad surprised it drives if it's the alternator making that much noise. What's the voltage gauge doing?

C

 

[Klive]

You can usually get the alternator refurbed with new brushes, it's quite easy to do yourself if you have the bits..!!

There's an excellent local company that refurbs alternators that has the test equipment as well. I've used them in the distant past but still hear good things about them.

 

[Klive]

What's the voltage gauge doing?

C

Now that's one of those obvious questions that when you've got the thing in bits someone asks. Arghh!! Why didn't I look beforehand???

 

[Parisien]

Not that the voltage gauge is terribly reliable either!!!

P

 

[conaero]

Nice Klive, thank God it was not the dreaded pump failure, big sigh of relief!

 

[CatmanV2]

Now that's one of those obvious questions that when you've got the thing in bits someone asks. Arghh!! Why didn't I look beforehand???

If only you'd thought to bring it round
C

 

[CatmanV2]

Not that the voltage gauge is terribly reliable either!!!

P

Indeed not, but with that much noise I'm rather surprised the alternator is putting out anything. I reckon no matter how un-reliable, the gauge would get that

C

 

[Klive]

Well the alternator's out and been put on a test bed. Nothing wrong with it so far! It'll be stripped down tomorrow for a visual.
Anyone know of an alternative other than the £500 from eurospares, in case I want to replace it?

 

[BennyD]

This may seem a bit far fetched; I have been having a similar problem on start up which I thought was an alternator bearing. It went quiet after a couple of minutes so I left it a couple of months to see what happened. It didn't get any worse or any better. Then I had the aux belt changed and now it is smooth and quiet. Don't ask me how or why but I suggest you rebuild it with a new belt. I'm sorry it didn't occur to me earlier but at least you know your current alternator is ok.

 

[Klive]

Hmmm. It's not so easy to get to so I wouldn't want to repeat the job too soon but I may need to resort to your suggestion. Actually the belt is in good condition so, so far, I've avoided stripping too much out of the front.
The guy who's got it at the moment has loads of experience so I'll see what he has to say tomorrow after he's stripped it down.

 

[BennyD]

The belt I replaced was quite new too. My car has always sounded noisy on start up ever since I've had it but every time I change the belt it goes quiet for a while and then starts to get noisy again. But this time it sounded like a bearing on the way out but I've no idea why. I might be wrong but I suspect that your man will say your alternator is ok.

 

[conaero]

Klive I have one off my coffee table project.

I will need your old one in exchange and in one piece, £200 sound ok?

PM me if your interested.

 

[CatmanV2]

I reckon the alternator will be good as well, but it§s interesting to watch these threads.

C