Squealing from engine

[Matty86]

have just started to get a squealing sound from the engine bay :(

it increases with revs.

I've been told that it could be due to one of the tensioners becoming loose and that it just needs tightening.

is it likely to be the alternator belt? i think this was changed in may 04.

Also, I can't find any reciepts for a timing belt change... whats the interval on these? and how much roughly is a change?

[donsrno1]

a change isn't cheap on the 16v. If it were me I would be very worried if it could be a tensioner on the timing belt as if it goes it'll bugger your engine. Timing belt should be changed (by renaults rcommendation) every 5 years or 72,000 miles - whicheve comes first. But it's generally accepted that you should do it before these intervals.

[Matty86]

would a squeeling mean the tensioner is about to go? can i just change/tighten it?

[Laine_16v]

Id say its just the aux belt, just needs a little tightening.

On cold startup will it squeel worse if u stick the steering on full lock?

[Coops]

get a mate to press accelerator and have a listen under the bonnet. both belts are on same side but shud be able to tell which is squeaking. if aux belt then the tensioner for that is a git to do, its on a roller type ratchet effort and tends to break plus u need small hands and smaller alan key/spanner combo to do it. some people have botched their own tensioner for aux belt by making alternator bracket adjustable, do a search for idea etc!

if u have no proof of timing belt change get it done anyway and make sure whoever does it does tensioner and idler pulley aswell. its not as expensive as people think, just shop around and use an independent renault specialist if u can. stan (on here) of APD in swansea does a timing belt change for around 150 quid inc parts iirc?

[Matty86]

just started it up (cold)

i think the squeeling does change on full lock.. but it almost sounds like something else is squeeling instead :(

[Matty86]

stan (on here) of APD in swansea does a timing belt change for around 150 quid inc parts iirc?

thats great to know, id travel to swansea


damn clio, costing me a fortune :(

[Laine_16v]

Get a sound file of it, ive heard enough dodgy aux belts by now to know what they sound like.

[Matty86]

will try now.. gimme a min

[Matty86]

here you go