Strange Noise

[colonelk]

Hi,

I was wondering if somone could clarify my finidings before I send the car to the Peugeot garage...

Car is 406 2.0 hdi 110bhp, 110k miles. The car started making a strange noise about two weeks ago which doesn't seem to be getting any worse. The noise can only be described as similar to a very badly adjusted tapet on an old engine. This noise goes away when the revs get to about 2500.

I immediately thought that the bottom pulley was the culprit. I got the car on the ramps and dropped the aux belt. Started the engine and the noise had gone away, so it is definately something in the aux. Checked bottom pulley for movement, debris etc - nothing. Checked the other pulleys and tensioners - all fine, except the power steering pump.

When I move the pulley on the pump there was no rumbling, but there was a strange metallic noise. Obviously with the load of the belt etc this would amplify. Only other thing I could think of is the flywheel, but this doesn't squeek on starting or stopping the engine, but there is a strange pulsating sensation through the steering when accelarating hard.

I think that it is the power steering pump?

Any help much appreciated...

Cheers

[Welly]

I got the car on the ramps and dropped the aux belt. Started the engine and the noise had gone away

I would have said that by removing the load on the bottom pulley then it all points to the bottom pulley usually making this ticking noise? does it tick at idle? are there any brown dust deposits near the pulley or shards of shiney metal bits around?

I wouldn't bother using a main dealer for a job like this (if that's what it is) because no-one will be interested in an invoice like this to keep the service history up to date and many independants are familier with bottom pulleys on HDi's

[colonelk]

Hi Welly,

Thanks for the reply...There is no dust coming from the centre of the pulley and I haven't seen any metallic debris on the bottom engine cover.

A friend of mine has had a pulley go on his and he said it was more of a tinkling noise. When he heard mine, he said it sounded nothing like when his went.

Will take it to an independent garage then

[colonelk]

Sorry...forgot to say it does tick at idle and goes away when above 2500 revs

[Welly]

mmm, to be honest the bottom pulley is the only thing on that side of the engine that gives any trouble you'll know for sure when it gets worse as there's no mistaking the noise

Wait and see what the others say, Jasper on here may well be able to advise further.

[colonelk]

Thanks again Welly...

To be honest, that's the only thing that I have heard about going on that side of the engine..it's just doesn't sound the same as people have described. Will wait to see if anyone else can confirm this

[steve_earwig]

The crank pulley is the biggest worry on these, the usual check is swarf etc. around it, or I think you can draw a line across it in tippex and see if it moves after it's been run, showing the two halves have separated.

Other than that, you sure about 2.5k? Could it be 3.2?

[jasper5]

Best thing to do is to get a metal bar (long screwdriver or socket extension), place it on the pump and listen to the noise, you will know if is coming from the pump. Be careful not to touch any moving parts.
Steve's suggestion is a good idea.

[colonelk]

Thanks for the info...will try the bar on the pump. Will also try the tippex - great idea!

It might well go at 3.2k rather than 2.5k - does this indicate the pulley or something else?

[steve_earwig]

HDi rattly injectors, the note changes when it gets to 3.2k as the third piston in the pump starts up and the pressure changes. Check out the pulley first tho, if it drops the aux belt there's a good chance it can take out the cam belt...

[colonelk]

Hi...

Well the saga continues with this one. Took the car to a garage, where the mechanic is a trained peugeot mechanic. He's has a look and dropped the aux belt. He has confirmed that it isn't the bottom pulley, he says it makes a totally different noise to what it's making at the moment.

He has checked the Power Steering pump and seems to think that whilst it is making a funny noise when turning it, he said he's not 100% sure what the problem is, but says it might be worth getting a pump off a scrapped car to rule it out.

He also had a look under the top cover of the engine and there seems to be a fair bit of diesel under a couple of the injectors, so he said that they could be leaking. So, getting there slowly