Carina E "rattle"

[sjapplet]

Further to my previous post on this topic, I now need a little further help...

These are the facts:

Loud rattle when the car is cold, worse when accessories such as heated rear screen are used.

I have had two different alternator belts fitted and also a scrap alternator.

The rattle coming from the engine bay disipates when you pour water over the alternator belt (eliminating problem with engine lubrication).

The rattle is quite loud.

At the weekend I used a coolant system conditioner/radiator stop leak and since then, although still there, the rattle has reduced. Could that mean the water pump is at fault?

There is no rattle when the alternator and power steering belts are removed.

I placed my ear to a piece of 2x2 and to the alternator and could only hear a whirring noise - not the rattle.

I am concluding that the problem is the water pump - any help apprectiated or any other suggestions!

[sjapplet]

My NEW mechanic (my having sacked the old one) assured me that it was the alternator at fault and that my old mechanic hadn't actually replaced it at all!

I had a new alternator fitted yesterday and... the noise was still there this morning.

My new mechanic is being very good about it - has refused to take money from me until it is all sorted out, but all I can assume it is now, is the water pump.

Are there bearings in the crank that can go and start to rattle?

This is turning into a vendetta now!

[sjapplet]

The car went back in a couple of days ago.

Apparently he has cleaned the things the belt runs on, and managed to get lots of oil into the water pump.

The rattle has now subsided substantially, thus leading me to believe that the water pump is at fault - it should return when the oil dissipates from the water pump bearings so will wait and see.

However, the alternator belt is now squealing all the time, even when warmed up. It is taking a good 45 minutes of driving to go away.

Will the noise go eventually? Any idea of the cause of this latest sound?

[gazza1286]

The alternator belt is squeeling as it's too slack. The deflection along its mid-point should be less than 1cm when firm thumb pressure is applied. It's a simple job to fix. A 12mm spanner/socket and a long screwdriver (to act as a lever) are all thats required.

[sjapplet]

It's in today for them checking the tension and fitting a new water pump - I think £80 fitted including parts, labour, coolant and VAT is pretty good!

Because they didn't charge me the full amount for the alternator, I got a new one of those fitted for £160 inclusive. Although the alternator was not the cause of the rattle, I saw that the connections were badly corroded, so it would have started to lose charge soon in any event.

I don't think I've done too badly!

Will keep anyone who is interested posted on the result (if any!)

[sjapplet]

Here we go again!

I have had the water pump replaced - the rattle is gone, but I think the timing is out, as there is still a pinking sound on acceleration.

I have another problem now...

There was no normal unleaded when I filled up a couple of times ago, so I used premium (only 2p more expensive at sainsbury's).

However, ever since, my MPG seems to have dropped from about 36 to about 29-31. I am back using normal unleaded.

Could the premium have doen something to the car or the O2 sensor? I have heard that economy is affected if the O2 sensor goes... can anyone clarify for me?

[sjapplet]

Could it be?!

I picked it up this morning - I left it with my garage for a over a week and said I didn't want it back until they had fixed the rattle.

They have replaced the alternator belt (third new one) with another brand, and also replaced the (new) alternator, believing the one they fitted to be faulty.

It appears that we are running silent again!

I will no doubt post again if it starts up again.

Best bit... no charge.