xantia screeching starting off

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 10 Feb 2006, 13:24

intermitantly my xantia tds (1995) makes a really loud screeching noise when starting off, it goes after a short while and stops if i go into neutral. I have heard this noise before on other cars too. It had a new clutch about a year ago.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 10 Feb 2006, 13:55

Before you ever think grabbing for your heavy rear leather ...

Check the real simple things first :
The drive belt for the hydraulic pump must be insanely tight - not just generator belt tight - I mean UN-believeable tight

The belt, rollers and pump bearing are designed for this !
This is because a loaded hydraulic pump needs up to 1.5Bhp power transferred by the belt in rather sudden onsets.
Any loose belt will scream its life out - and soon wear itself out because of this.

The simple problem however could in fact be your generator belt. This is because later type diesels have their glowplugs glowing after engine start - to reduce emissions from cold engine. This really loads the battery and generator right after start. And then any worn/loose drivebelt screams out for help ...

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Feb 2006, 14:30

I would agree entirley with Anders. Starting the engine demands a considerable ammount of current and causes the battery voltage to drop and the output of the alternator is considerably increased, in addition to the load of the glow plugs, but only until the voltage comes again up which may only take 30 seconds, hence the belt stops slipping.

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 10 Feb 2006, 14:34

thanks for the reply, can this be tightened if loose or does it generally mean a new belt is needed?

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Feb 2006, 14:48

You should be able to tighten it OK but if it looks worn its safer to replace it.

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 11 Feb 2006, 09:49

Replace it....if it breaks it can find it's way into the cambelt cover and cause the cambelt to break up.

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 11 Feb 2006, 14:01

Nobody made the obvious "that'll be the tyres" or "pull away more slowly" comment....

JohnT · Post by **JohnT** » 11 Feb 2006, 17:36

That'll be the tyres or pull away more slowly!
Joking apart I think you have the answer above, while u are replacing the belt why not do the cam belt at the same time if it is due?
The idler pully also has a history of screeching at idle speeds, this is due to a worn sealed bearing. I have tried to seperate and lubricate the parts but it doeas no last long.

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 13 Feb 2006, 09:29

sorry guys for no details of what car, hopefully should appear on my signature.

Anyway I was looking through the haynes and cant find the generater belt you are talking about, does it go under other names?

The screetching is really intermittent, i havent had it happen for a few days.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 13 Feb 2006, 09:45

On a ZX haynes call it the 'AUXILLIARY DRIVE BELT' and on a BX (where like the xantia it drived the alternator and the hydraulic pump and the air conditioning compressor if fitted) they call it the 'ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT' or when talking about the hydraulic pump its simply called the drivebelt.

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 13 Feb 2006, 11:39

thanks, that gives me a bit more to go on.

drewmunn · Post by **drewmunn** » 16 Feb 2006, 13:43

Auxillary Drive Belt: Thanks I know where it is now. Is it best to buy a new one from a Citroen Dealer or do most car part stockists sell these???

tanto · Post by **tanto** » 16 Feb 2006, 14:57

it may just need tightened doing a search on here should provide you with answers on how tight if you want to change it you should be able to get one from most spares shops

dnsey · Post by **dnsey** » 16 Feb 2006, 15:36

you should be able to get one from most spares shops

But make sure it's the right one! There are several sizes used on various Xantia models. To make sure, there should be a code on the old belt (may be a bit faded), which is universal for all belt maufacturers.