intermittent Screeching

[Olazz]

Hi guys,

Haven't been on this site for a while as I've been back in Hospital

Anyway back out again and took the car for a drive yesterday.. Car has been garaged and on a charger for about 9 months. Checked oil and water..all ok. Car started first turn of the key and run up to temp.
Drove on motorway for about 10 mins and then heard a metallic screeching from front of engine. Oil pressure and engine temp all ok. Pulled over on Hard shoulder and opened the bonnet. Metallic sound from the very front of the engine, almost like a bearing.  Switched off engine and when started the noise had gone.... On drive back home the noise came back again for about 5 mins but then no more again. Have been running the car in the garage for about a hour without recurrence.

Question.

Is there a know issue with the water pump or fan clutch?

I assume it may be either on or both of those?

Help much appreciated

Lazz
 

[stickandrudderman]

Probably just a belt screeching. Check them for tension. Most likely to happen when you first start the car from cold and have all the electrical consumers switched on. If you can get it to happen whilst you're standing over the engine then spray some WD40 on the belts and see if the noise goes.

[Olazz]

No,  its def not the belts, of that Im sure.

More of a metallic sound from the front of the motor.
 

[ja17]

Possibly the water pump bearings.  The noise can be intermittent and resonate off the fan blade. Squirting some oil in the weep hole of the water pump may offer some temporary relief.

[mdsalemi]

Possibly the water pump bearings.  The noise can be intermittent and resonate off the fan blade. Squirting some oil in the weep hole of the water pump may offer some temporary relief.

I had the same screeching sound, same diagnosis, by the same Joe Alexander. New water pump fixed it. Apparently happens on cars that sit for extended periods...coolant works it's way into the bearings, a little corrosion, and there you have it.

[Benz Dr.]

I've seen alternators that do the same thing although water pumps are more common.

[hank sound]

  Interesting - - with a similar pattern of timing while driving, I would suddenly be jolted by what I would call a fairly high pitched howl, as opposed to a screech.    When I put my hand on the top of the dash above the speedometer, I felt a distinct vibration.    It's the damn cable, I'll bet.   See if you feel that vibration as well.

Cheers, Hank

[Olazz]

Hank, I've got that happening too!

Frightened the life out of me the first time it happened. No this is definitely water pump me thinks.

 

[hrwilson]

Don't remove anything until you have checked belt tensions. I recently put a new fanbelt in and then an embarrassing screech developed, loud and sounding like metal/bearings etc. But found the belt was just needing tightening, was slipping. Relieved! Now I've got another screech on full lock, left or right.....hope that is belt tension too, I guess the steering pump gives more resistance at full lock.

[dwahi]

The steering wheel full lock issue is on mine too, but I think this is normal anyway as even modern cars groan a bit when on full lock