[marooncorsa]

Hi all, just bought my second car (that is the one after selling my first car), the one i currently have just bought is a corsa envoy 2000 plate (V reg), with 73,000 miles on it. Runs perfect, except the after noon i bought it, i get a rather annoying and random squealing noise on accelleration. I figure that its the Alternator/Vacuum pump belt was damp, causing it to slip and squeal. So out comes the WD 40, a good squirt onto the pulley and belt and that was the end of the squealing, up until now, 6 days later, it squealed a bit, but now after a cold start, the battery light on the dash comes on temporarily, for a couple of seconds during taking off, then it goes out. :think

Am i right in thinking the WD40 has made the belt slip and not spin the alternator for a short period of time, causing the dash board battery light come on?

So far, the battery, seems fully charged and healthy, and starting is no problem whats so ever. P.S i do a lot of night driving, so i wud have a dead battery by now if it wasnt charging.

Sorry for the long post. Thank you for reading this.

 

[marooncorsa]

Just went out for another drive when the engine was warmish (about 1 1/2 hours after it was last used) and the battery light popped on as i was pulling out of my street, only to go out about when i acellerated, then did not come on whatsoever during the 1 hour i was driving it around for.

* NOTE there was a tiny 'click' noise as the light came on, then another 'click' noise as it went out. Hopefully someone would of had this bizzare problem/problemette before. Thank you in advance!!

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

Putting oil on a friction belt isn't the best idea - not surprisingly the belt is slipping on the pulley - try fitting a new belt after degreasing all the pulleys.

 

[greasemonkey]

Hi yup i recommend the same - new belt and maybe tensioner if funds allow - the alternator takes alot of turning when its powering things like power steering etc - and until it catches up and grips the light may well come on - in future a better temp cure for a slipping belt is baby powder
regards
Steve

 

[marooncorsa]

Thank you all for you're replies, very helpful in helping me dertermine the problem. The car hasnt had its dashlight come on today at all. Its got 73,000 on the clock, and theres been no indication of a cam belt change, so its booked in on wednesday at my own trusted mechanic, for a belt + pulley change and to have its glow plugs checked.

P.S. i dont have powersteering, lol i HATE it!! lol am i the only one who does?

This is my first diesel and i'm really impressed at the MPG......70 to the gallon!
I've always wanted a diesel but my insurance was a bit on the high side for one. now, 2 years later its affordable! yay!

 

[marooncorsa]

P.S i'll have the alternator belt checked and replaced if needed, i put i squirt of WD40 on it for i thought the squealing might of been a wet belt and the WD40 wud of drove out the moisture as to my suprise the alternator is quite close to where it can get wet rather easily!

 

[marooncorsa]

Had both belts changed, and boy was that alternator/auxillary belt so stretched in comparison to the new one! Great that solved the trick, and my timing belt was done, the first time in the cars stated history! phew! cutting it close with 73,000 on the clock! Now i can put my mind to rest now, not having to worry if it suddenly snaps on me! Thank you to Greasemonkey and Ruperts Trooper for those replies!

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

Thank you to Greasemonkey and Ruperts Trooper for those replies!

You're welcome !!

 

[marooncorsa]

Ok, now i've had my timing belt done, and my auxillary belt done, theres two minor niggles, first one is when you start the car from cold the horrible screeching is back, when you rev it gently it will dissappear for a while, the come back a few more minutes down the road, then stop.....then again, just in random bursts, now the belt is new and adjusted to the correctly as far as i can see, and the alternator light doesnt come on so the belt musnt be slipping....i hope not, the only remedy is the tiniest bit of wd40 on the belt and it shuts it up for a while.

Once the engine has warmed up and the squealing stops, theres like a whirring sound that sounds like belt noise. I dont really mind the second one, but the squealing is annoying me, especially when my other half keeps asking 'Is the car supposed to do that?' lol

 

[fronteratech]

water pump could be squealing you need to check tightness of belt wd40 does not help check antifreeze and ad some antisqueal to coolant from halfords