Could it be the altenator???

[GTVChris]

Hi all,

My wifes car has been making a strange noise. Mainly after 10 mins on the motorway.
It is a high howling noise - Soulds like a barn owl is trapped in the engine:)
Anyway we sent it to a garage for a service and they said they couldn't hear the noise.
Low and behold...I drove it home and it acame back again.
My wife says it also makes a ticking noise when idling.
If this is the altenator - where is the best place to buy a new or used one?
Is it something I could fit myself. I.e a direct swapout>

Thanks in advance

Chris

[Ollie]

My wife says it also makes a ticking noise when idling.
Thanks in advance

Chris

I have now got this ticking noise. Drove from Essex Coast on Sunday to Alton Towers, when I got there I could hear the ticking noise when pulled up. Drove home last night and its still there, can only hear it when window down or like today when roof is off. Its the same noise, same loudness no matter what speed. I tried filming it but the fans in the engine have given it alot of disturbance noise. In vid it sounds almost like some diesel vans I have heard, tick, tick, tick.... lol
Drives fine - just worry i could be doing more damage (sounds like its coming from the oil 'in' spout area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU9Zq_mwl8E

Advice or help much appreciated as always

[Thar]

Could it be your tappets? I know this is a common problem with the 2.0 l.

[Ollie]

Could it be your tappets? I know this is a common problem with the 2.0 l.

ooo My Tappets, sounds like an all male tap dancing troop, who'd of thought I would of had one of those in my engine
I shoud have it looked at and stop being lazy and put it in for its genuine peugeot exhaust and a full service
I'll report back shud I find out but thanks again

[Ollie]

Should also add - I googled tappets and looked on other car forums they all complain of banging of thudding, whers as mines is a ticking like if a kid puts a bit of plastic in there bike spokes, tick, tick, tick.
Also my oil lights keeps popping on, on bends and roundabouts, one friend of mine thinks my car needs oil as he has had the same ticking in the past and topped up with oil and all's well.... I'll report back as always either way

[Ollie]

oooo-eeerrr - I drove to halfords with the intention to try adding oil, 8 miles later I got there and checked the dip stick (I know your not supposed to when engine been running, but I fiqured the result I got) and it was almost clean, so I gather I had run out of oil, I poured in 3 litres, 10 mins of driving the noise disappeared and my car is back to purrrrrrring, also feels a bit slicker on accelleration.
Off to go hang my head in shame

[Chushpie]

Tut tut!

Must admit, I was hoping it was the male tap dancing troupe, was going to ask where I could get myself one!

My oil light display thingy said that mine was very low (thought something major was wrong as it'd just had an oil change with its service) but when I checked the oil, there was plenty in so you can't rely on what it says anyway!

[Thar]

oooo-eeerrr - I drove to halfords with the intention to try adding oil, 8 miles later I got there and checked the dip stick (I know your not supposed to when engine been running, but I fiqured the result I got) and it was almost clean, so I gather I had run out of oil, I poured in 3 litres, 10 mins of driving the noise disappeared and my car is back to purrrrrrring, also feels a bit slicker on accelleration.
Off to go hang my head in shame

Was your oil level indicator not showing that your oil was low?

[Ollie]

oooo-eeerrr - I drove to halfords with the intention to try adding oil, 8 miles later I got there and checked the dip stick (I know your not supposed to when engine been running, but I fiqured the result I got) and it was almost clean, so I gather I had run out of oil, I poured in 3 litres, 10 mins of driving the noise disappeared and my car is back to purrrrrrring, also feels a bit slicker on accelleration.
Off to go hang my head in shame

Was your oil level indicator not showing that your oil was low?

Not fully - but it did on sharp bends or going fast round a roundabout for a few seconds.
My mechanic friend says its not always advised or standard to wait for the oil light to come on completely before you as a driver check the oil. I will check more often and NOT wait for any warning light. Lesson learnt!

[Ollie]

Tut tut!

Must admit, I was hoping it was the male tap dancing troupe, was going to ask where I could get myself one!

My oil light display thingy said that mine was very low (thought something major was wrong as it'd just had an oil change with its service) but when I checked the oil, there was plenty in so you can't rely on what it says anyway!

My display is slightly pixellated along the bottom so have no clue as to what it says...lol
I should get a new one but I dont miss it.
Yes, what a let down, no 'Tappets' gutted!