Engine Noise - idle doesn't sound good

[jonny5]

Sounds very similar to my water pump, especially as you got down in front of the car. Mine too was noisier when hot as everything began to expand. Check play in water pump, take belts off and run; if noises disappear then you know its from an auxilliary part, probably water pump.

 

[cj10jeeper]

All the rattles a squarking on mine turned out to be the upper and lower deflection pulleys as covered in another thread.

Worth checking them out before going into the more expensive options of water pumps, vanos, etc. Mine took a while to diagnose as the noises don't sound like they come from where they do.

I'd certainly advocate loosening the belt with a socket on the tensioner and feeling both those pulleys. Will only take you 5 mins to do.

 

[daveg]

Posted earlier but don't know where it went.

Ronk - yes I have tried it, but mine's the opposite to yours. Nose up and it's noisy, nose down and it's quiet. Not sure what that suggests :?

Some really handy info coming out now though - thanks everyone for their input.