Whining noise after cambelt service

[TOWATL]

Hello fellow Elanists!

I had my car serviced at a friends workshop earlier this year. As I had just bought the car last year and milage required a full inspection, he took the engine apart and gave it a good inspection. Gaskets have all been replaced and the cambelt was also swapped for a new one. The Turbo needed refurbishing. We also put in a new original Lotus exhaust.

The car drives very good now with better and more consistent boost in mid-range revs.

However, there is an annoying whining noise from the engine, that has not been there before. It is definitely related to the engine speed, not road speed. When parked and in neutral, it is also audible above about 2000rpm and increases in volume with higher speeds. If I disengage the clutch whilst driving, the whining stops almost immediately.

Personally I would think that maybe the cambelt was tightened too hard, but my friend says he did tripple-check that the belt was properly tightened. I don't know...

I did of course search the forum for similar issues, but only found whining noise related issues with wheel bearings. These seem to be fine on my car though.

What have we missed?
If any of you nice chaps could point me into the right direction, I will be most grateful for it.
Thank you!

Although the car drives well and seems reliable enough, I am hesitant to drive it until the whining noise issue has been resolved, in fear of damaging vital components.

Cheers,


Wolfgang

[Fredjohn]

If it stops when you disengage the clutch, it is unlikely to be the cambelt.
What about the clutch release bearing? This seems a good possibility as it is related to both engine speed and pressing the clutch.

[DABgp]

If it stops when you disengage the clutch, it is unlikely to be the cambelt.
What about the clutch release bearing? This seems a good possibility as it is related to both engine speed and pressing the clutch.

But presumably he is letting go of the throttle while dipping the clutch and the revs are dropping to tickover, so it could be the tensioner?
It sounds like the same issue that I have with my car, which had a belt fitted by Chris Foulds about a year ago, before I owned it. I've been told not to worry about the whining, which is worse when the engine is hot. I do worry though...

[Enright]

I've been told not to worry about the whining, which is worse when the engine is hot. I do worry though...

Yeah, so would I. Although it's not the easiest of things to get to, there is an inspection port in the lower timing belt cover. It could be removed and the tension backed off a bit, just to see if it makes any difference.
At least if it doesn't you can put it back to where it was having eliminated it from your enquiries.

[TOWATL]

Thanks for your feedback and swift replies, guys!

I will have a closer look at the tensioner and report back.
The clutch operates just fine, but I will have my friend check that as well.

And yes, I did lift the throttle when dipping the clutch.

Cheers!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Another consideration is "did the water pump get replaced at the same time"? If yes, which water pump was used?

The water pump Dayco was including in the belt kit had the wrong profile at the belt end - the cogs were square instead of rounded.

See the write-up here: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22580#p284623

Some people trusted Dayco to provide the correct water pump but that didn't happen.

Now, some suppliers are listing two water pumps as one with square teeth and another with round teeth.

It isn't a huge amount of work to get to the front of the engine. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, remove the wheel arch liner (it should not be a battle this soon after being out earlier),
remove the belt covers and check for over-tightening of the tensioner and also look at the water pump to see if the belt is a really good fit in the drive pulley.

[TOWATL]

Another consideration is "did the water pump get replaced at the same time"? If yes, which water pump was used?

The water pump Dayco was including in the belt kit had the wrong profile at the belt end - the cogs were square instead of rounded.

See the write-up here: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=22580#p284623

Some people trusted Dayco to provide the correct water pump but that didn't happen.

Now, some suppliers are listing two water pumps as one with square teeth and another with round teeth.

It isn't a huge amount of work to get to the front of the engine. Jack up the car, remove the wheel, remove the wheel arch liner (it should not be a battle this soon after being out earlier),
remove the belt covers and check for over-tightening of the tensioner and also look at the water pump to see if the belt is a really good fit in the drive pulley.

Thank you for the info!

I was aware of this particular issue with swapping water pumps and had effectively ordered two different pumps to be on the safe side. Much cudos to WienLot for pointing me in the right direction!

I will make sure we check the fitting of pump and belt again, regardless.

Cheers!

[Peter_W]

The "low-tech" 2-3ft. section of garden hose can be effective in identifying the area where the noise is coming from - one end held to an ear, the other end placed near suspected areas (being careful to avoid moving parts).

[hodge]

Alternator and power steering pump are driven by crank pulley, so affected by engine speed. Put them and their belts on your check list. Alternator bearings possible suspect.

[TOWATL]

Alternator and power steering are driven by crank pulley, so affected by engine speed. Put them and their belts on your check list. Alternator bearings possible suspect.

They are on the list. Now.

Thanks!

[TOWATL]

Ok, the car will be back at the workshop in two weeks time.

I will update you once I get it back.

Cheers!

[HJ2]

A new belt does make more noise (whining) than a used one indeed. I hope for you and your wallet that this is the case and that there are no nasty surprises to be found!

[Artaban]

I heard a constant whining noise soon after spending a lot of money on the car to get it just right. In the end I traced it to a disgruntled spouse in the passenger seat. It was then a simple matter of lavish quantities of chocolates and dinners out. Worked for me anyway.
Andy

[HJ2]

Hahahahaha!

[daveiow]

I find that liberal applications of shoes and handbags to the whine in direct ratio to expenditure on the Elan usually does the trick

[HJ2]

When i got a new cambelt... I also had a girlfriend... and a dog!
So much whining... I got ear plugs!

[TOWATL]

Hahahaha!

I guess I am very lucky, as my girlfriend enjoys the Elan just as much as I do. From the passenger seat that is. So the only noise I hear from her while driving is the occasional giggle of joy.

But I will definitely keep a bottle of wine at hand, just in case...

Cheers guys!

[Fredjohn]

Hahahaha!

I guess I am very lucky, as my girlfriend enjoys the Elan just as much as I do. From the passenger seat that is. So the only noise I hear from her while driving is the occasional giggle of joy.

But I will definitely keep a bottle of wine at hand, just in case...

Cheers guys!

To use in the radiator in winter I assume..............

[TOWATL]

The car is back at the workshop. I had the alternator checked and it works fine. I am pretty sure that the noise is caused by an ovely tight cambelt.

However, on my drive to the shop, the gear linkage snapped!
Now the car is stuck in 5th gear...

It seems I am out of luck this year, as far as my cars go.

[muley]

The car is back at the workshop. I had the alternator checked and it works fine. I am pretty sure that the noise is caused by an ovely tight cambelt.

However, on my drive to the shop, the gear linkage snapped!
Now the car is stuck in 5th gear...

It seems I am out of luck this year, as far as my cars go.

If you play under the bonnet you should be able to manually put the car into 3rd gear - which is good for starting off and driving in an emergency..