Hi all, just registered, but been lurking for ages, compiling info for the car I have now had since March.

As the heading says the the car has now decided to squeal the dawn chorus from the fanbelts or whatever other belts the car has. Getting really embarrassing now, so time to sort it out.

I`m not able (recently disabled) or knowlegeable enough to sort this out myself. So I have just contacted these people: http://www.cheapmechanic.co.uk/ - http://www.cheapmechanic.co.uk/  has any of the members had any dealings with them.

I know there are Nissan dealers in County Durham where I live but the big ones did not instill confidence when I called in on them to buy a car. Evans Halshaw, I think, were giving up the Nissan dealership anyway.

Does anyone know of an independent Nissan mechanic in my area.

Yes I`ve checked the other  belts ( seat )and that squealing is from the usual source. But after 35 years together, I still think she`s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I worked it out very early on that " your woman will either make you of break you "; I was lucky.

Cheers, John

have you had the belt replaced ?? its only a 10 min job,well 30 mins with a tea break

now for the strange question. have you had the alternator voltage checked if its low it could well be the alternator front bearing

Thanks for the reply Flash.

A 10 min job for someone able bodied maybe. Not for me unfortunately.

Not been near a garage.

Can you reccommend someone near me?

Cheers, John

Hi Jondoc, could also be ; water pump bearings, idler pulley bearings and air con pump. Does it squeal all the time or just after a cold start? if so it's more likely one of the bearings in the above list.

regards

dave s

Hi Dave

It squeals loudly at cold startup, some days worse than others ( been happenning for about a week). And just a bit after warming up. Yesterday it had a slight squeak which didn`t go away.

It also does it a little after going through the car wash, or when there`s damp in the air; but quietens down after a minute on the road.

I`ve now found a Nissan dealer has re-opened a couple of miles from me; Barton-Townley at Crook, Bishop Auckland. So if I`m feeling ok tomorrow I`ll visit them.

Thanks for all your help with this.

Cheers, John

Hi John, sounds like belt slip to me, could be that the belt tension adjuster needs setting to the "after adjusted position" moisture will always induce a belt to slip on a pulley, after a while of slipping and driving the moisture is gone and the belt grips again until eventually it too loose to grip even when dry.

regards

dave s

My days of doing my own work on cars is long gone. due to a shot back and lots of other things so i know the feeling

from what your saying its just a worn/stretched belt sqeeling when its cold the auto tensioner can only take up so much slack also thay do tend to stick esp after the bad winter we have had the last few years

Thanks for the replies.

I hope it`s as simple as the last 2.

I`ll let you know how I get on.

Cheers, John

Hi John, it's not an auto tensioner on the 1.6 auto just a bolt and lock nut in a slot, that's all it needs as the belt is wide and the load on it is low compared to older systems. The Nissan schedule for it is just to visual check condition a tension until the day the car dies, unless your in what they call harsh enviroment driving, which we are not. If your still capable of lifting the bonnet and peering in at the belt you may be able to see if it is loose.

regards

dave s

Just got back from the re-opened Nissan garage nearby. Barton Townley at Willington.

The belt is past its best, so it`s being replaced. They`re also giving the car the once over. They checked the brakes while I was there, all ok.

£53 quoted for belt change,all checks, all inclusive.

Cheers, John

Cheers John, not too hard on the wallet then, compared to an alternator etc

regards

dave s

Yes I thought it was ok, if a bit low. But the staff attitude and the way they treated me ,gave me the confidence to book in with them.

I`ll give my verdict next week; it`s booked in for Wednesday.

John

All done.

No problems at all. Belt change done. Half hour drive with the mechanic to find my phantom rattle at 1500 revs; just before `down` gear change. Thats gone now.

The mechanic said tyres are close to limit; front 3mm - rear 4mm.   No pressure to buy from them at £106 each.

A good all round experience and £53 as quoted.

Thanks again for all your input.

Cheers, John

Glad it's sorted, very wet here in manchester this morning and my belt squealed in protest at having to rotate, in the 5 seconds it lasted i managed to do some quick diagnostic checks just to confirm; switch on and off high current loads to change the alternator loads and switch between nuetral and drive and also blip the throttle, all produced a change in the squeal without moving the car an inch, thus confirming belt slip, drove 3 metres and slip gone for the rest of the journey. I will be checking the belt tension when it's dry enough to lie down on the floor though. Settings for old belt on a HR engine are with a 10kgf on the bottom run- deflection limits 4.8<5.3mm, new belt 4.2<4.5mm. This is a 1.6 auto with aircon.

regards

dave s

Just to let you know; I haven`t had the belt squeal since having it changed.

John