Timing belt problem (sqeaking)

Kai123

Hello forum.

My timing belt on my Ford Fiesta 2011 has started squeaking. The garage advised me to rub a bar of soap on the inside but chances are the noise will come back. He said it had dried up.

Car is well looked after, 20km on the clock and had a full service about 5 months ago. The squeaking started happening 3 weeks ago.

Is there anything "better" I can use other then soap? WD-40 or a silicone spray from a car shop? He quoted €70 but with my current financial situation, its not really an option for a good while.

Kai.

DIESEL TOM

Kai123 wrote: »

The garage advised me to rub a bar of soap on the timing belt

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Kai123

Very insightful.

rex-x

Its probably the aux belt not the timing belt, Rubbing soap does work but it is a cure for a problem that shouldnt exist!
Something is out of line on the run of the belt (normally worn crank pulley) or else the belt is super badly worn

OldmanMondeo

2 new things required here, new belt and new mechanic

rex-x

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

2 new things required here, new belt and new mechanic

I would say only 50% of the time its the belt itself, 50% its something else, you can tell by hearing the noise which it is

Kai123

What causes the belt to become worn or dry?

Muckie

Age, temp and wear and tear.

If money is tight i'd recommend, buy a can of silicone spray.

Start the card, let it run and spray a bit onto the belt as it goes round.

You should notice the noise go.

In the mean time shop around for a price on changing the belt.

Indy mechanic should be able to do it cheap enough.

Kai123

Muckie wrote: »

Age, temp and wear and tear.

If money is tight i'd recommend, buy a can of silicone spray.

Start the card, let it run and spray a bit onto the belt as it goes round.

You should notice the noise go.

In the mean time shop around for a price on changing the belt.

Indy mechanic should be able to do it cheap enough.

Thanks would any silicone spray do? Im assuming silicone spray for belts specifically might be more expensive then what you can get in the hardware shop.

rex-x

I would never recommend a silicone spray as a solution, its like taking loads of painkillers for a heart pain.
If that belt snaps and wraps around the crank pulley it can jump the timing and cause serious damage!
If you own a 2011 car and cant afford a basic job like this then maybe sell it and buy something more affordable

Kai123

rex-x wrote: »

I would never recommend a silicone spray as a solution, its like taking loads of painkillers for a heart pain.
If that belt snaps and wraps around the crank pulley it can jump the timing and cause serious damage!
If you own a 2011 car and cant afford a basic job like this then maybe sell it and buy something more affordable

Financial situation was alot better 2 years ago!

I know what you mean though. Selling it has been on the cards, but what we have spent on it aftersales has been alot less then with the Micra we had before.

Thanks for the advice though.

Muckie

Kai123 wrote: »

Thanks would any silicone spray do? Im assuming silicone spray for belts specifically might be more expensive then what you can get in the hardware shop.

Silicone spray does the job, its using WD40 is a bad idea.

Chances are its the aux belt(fan belt as people mistakenly call it)

Yeah they sell it in the likes of most motor factors.

Have a chat with one of the lads.

Help me out before as a temporary fix.

Hope you get it sorted.

patrickc

is the car still under warranty? if so let ford sort it. the wife had a similar problem with her 11 mazda 3 and they changed the belt and pullys etc under warranty

Kai123

Unfortunately we only had a 2 year warranty, went out on February.

Kai123

The Ford garage gave me a quote of €70 for a new timing belt. Discounttyres gave me a quote of €275. I asked if it was a mistype but they said I might be getting a timing belt and a fan belt confused.

Were talking about the fan belt right? Timing belts have those teeth on them, the belt I have (serpentine belt) is a fan belt?

Tropheus

I wouldn't mess with a timing belt. It's the heart of the car. It's one of those things where you have to bite the bullet and get it sorted. Sounds like a new belt and the various bits that go with it. Anything less and you're potentially taking a major risk that could result in the need for a new engine.

rex-x

You are completely mixing up a fan belt and timing belt, the timing belt is not your issue

Ronnie Beck

This is a timing belt - about 300 euro to replace. Normally a toothed belt and not visible without the removal of at least a cover. They don't squeek.


This is an auxilary/fan/alenator belt. Normally a ribbed belt and is easily visible when you lift the bonnet. They often squeek as they stretch and loose their grip on the various pulleys.

hiluxman

what engine in the car? if its a 1.6 tdci fiesta sometimes the timing belt makes a noise when the engine is warm, there is a special coating on the teeth of the belt, this wears off and causes a squeaking noise

Kai123

Its definitely the fan belt. ALOT cheaper to replace as well.

I dont like that it got dry after 20km. It had a underwater wash maybe a year ago, which I wont be doing again. Maybe that had something to do with it.

Its a 1.25 ford fiesta style. After a year it started making odd noises but 3 different mechanics thought it was ok. Some people with the same car say it sounds like a sowing machine (which it does). One mechanic said it might need offical Ford oil and it will kill the noise, but its not serious.

The fanbelt noise is sometimes very audible from inside the car, sometimes its quieter. Its a louder ticking noise then the engine.

Would the fan belt effect fuel consumption? Just out of curiosity.

Thanks Ronnie for helping clarify what it is.