Chirping sound on '98 7AFE

[djchow85]

Hi all,

Just recently noticed a chirping sound from the engine on my 98 Rolla 7AFE. It's done nearly 82k km and I have a feel its probably the pulleys or timing belt. I remember having the same noise on my Lancer towards its high end km's and my old mechanic just sprayed some oil on the pulleys and it went away (for how long I can't remember).

My brother also noted that his friend used silicon for the various areas of the pulley/belt so it would "grab" it better and this removed a sound they were having on their cars though not sure if it's the exact.

Has anyone used silicon for the belt?

I have a feeling its the belt/pulleys and have not sprayed anything as don't want to mess things up.

[SuperDave]

I'm going to guess the pulleys, probably the tensioner pulley. And since belts are pretty cheap just replace it anyway. Don't spray anything onto the belt. Silicon is a lubricant, so it will cause the belt to slip (hence why lubricants often 'fix' belt noise problems).

[aspirated]

I'll say its most likely a serpentine belt thats on its way out

[djchow85]

I believe if it does need to be changed, then its just a loosen of the automatic tensioner (if it does have one) and then whacking it on with a new belt and then tightening it up?

If it does have an automatic one, and hence automatic, after tightening it up to the full then that's all that's needed?

I'll have a check of the manual when I get home

Edited November 2, 2010 by djchow85

[Hiro]

7As don't have automatic tensioners on the accessories belts (if you've got the full fruit models then there are 3 belts - crank/idler/aircon, crank/alternator/water-pump, and waterpump/power-steering pump. The idler pulley on the first belt acts as a tensioner, as does the alternator on the second belt (the power steering pump has no tensioner from memory, unless the mounts do the job).

Highly unlikely the timing belt would be "chirping" (unless it is the tensioner pulley on the timing belt, which is spring-loaded) as they are a toothed belt and thus don't slip (and if they are rubbing against the timing cover or jumping teeth then you have bigger problems).