Engine wailing after timing belt change

AugustusMinimus

Got the timing belt done on a Mark 1 Focus 1.6 Petrol.

I find there is now a lot of wailing under acceleration (from 2,000 revs upwards) and a bit when I decelerate. I also get the feeling that I'm not getting as many MPG as I was before.

Anything to worry about ?

W.Shakes-Beer

If it was me I'd bring it back to the guy who done it, just to be safe. Or even bring it to another mechanic to get a second opinion.

Deminiman

Timing might be out, Bring it back to be safe.

jurahnimoh

Bring it back as soon as ya can

Nissan doctor

It may be tensioned to tightly, this can cause a whine.

AugustusMinimus

Thanks guys. Will bring it back.

My first thought might be the belt being too tight.

Would the engine have lasted a week if the timing was out ?

Deminiman

Depends really how far out it is, best of luck with that!!

spiggotpaddy

get it sorted without delay. if the belt is to tight it will wear rapidly, and fail and then your mechanic will convince you it was your own fault for wearing blue socks and not checking your headlight fluid.

_Conrad_

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Would the engine have lasted a week if the timing was out ?

If it was out a bit yes, if it was out by a lot no, but there's a lot of variation between being out just a tiny bit and out so badly it does serious harm, though you'd also have other symptoms such is it not running right and lacking power.

You should definitely bring the car back though

Nissan doctor

If the timing was off by a tooth, which would be the minimum that would allow the car to still drive, you would still have running issues and a lack of power but nothing to cause a whining noise.

David09

Nissan doctor wrote: »

If the timing was off by a tooth, which would be the minimum that would allow the car to still drive, you would still have running issues and a lack of power but nothing to cause a whining noise.

Tensioners on those engines are automatic, ie spring loaded. It is impossible to overtighten or undertighten the timing belt.

It's possible but unlikely that the timing is out. The pulleys aren't keyed ie freewheeling, and special locking tools are required to set the timing correctly. If the correct tools were used, the timing should be spot-on.

Is the squeak periodic or constant?
If periodic, check the spring loaded tensioner on the alternator drivebelt. The spring is known to lose it's force and cause teh belt to come slightly loose, just enough to make noise.

If it's constant, check pulley bearings and make sure that any plastic covers aren't loose and fouling the rotating pulleys.

Plug

^^^ what he said. Spot on.

Nissan doctor

Not all MK1's have the auto spring tensioner.

Plug

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Not all MK1's have the auto spring tensioner.

I know some of the early ones had a ratchet type tensioner but I don't know about a manual one. I could be wrong though.

Nissan doctor

Loads of the ones I've done have had the manual tensioner with the little arrow to show the correct tension. Only the later MK1's, 02ish plus, have the auto spring tensioner afaik.

AugustusMinimus

Hi guys.

I still didn't get a chance for it to be looked at. Driving home there this evening, the noise is louder than ever.

However, note the following.

1. The noise get's louder as I travel faster
2. The noise is still there even when I press the clutch in or am in neutral when coasting

Hence, I don't think it's the engine at all.

I'll get it looked at tomorrow, but any guesses what it may actually be ? Wheel bearing or something along those lines ?

I've included an mp3 file with the annoying din in the background. (Sorry but I had to zip it to upload it.)

Nissan doctor

Sounds like a wheel bearing alright. Rear ones would be a fairly common failure on MK1 focussessess.