Help ! Lost in France

[jml]

Hi Guys,
I’m out in the south of France and my C8 2.2HDi 173 has developed a noise that is scaring me, with an 800 mile journey ahead of me to get home
The noise is a light rattle but only at tick over speed - raise the revs ever so slightly and it goes. The noise is at the auxiliary drive belt end and at tick over I can see the belt tensioner fluctuating (can’t think of better word to describe it !). It’s not a loud noise and the fluctuation is not massive.
I rather suspect something like this previous thread: viewtopic.php?t=43923
As I said, once above tickover all seems well so the question is, do I make the homeward journey as it is but trying to keep engine speed above tickover speed whenever I can ?
Any thoughts or advice gratefully received
Cheers
Julian

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi Julian

I suspect (but can't confirm obviously) that this might be a pulley or a tensioner roller:

(6) is the Timing Tensioning Timer Roller (7) is the Retractor Roller	(6) is the Alternator Tensioner Roller

So have a closer look at these areas to see if you can identify the source. When did you last have the timing belt done and if you did, was the complete timing kit used that included replacing the tensioner rollers or was it just the belt?

[jml]

Thanks for replying so quickly Marc (as usual )
I had the cambelt done, together with tensioner and water pump about 20,000 miles ago.
From what I’ve read on here I rather think (hoping that !) it’s the alternator one way clutch - there’s a light tinkling sound to it.
I’m tempted to make my return journey but keeping revs above tickover. I see that I can get the pulleys separately.
Cheers
Julian

[GiveMeABreak]

In the knowledge that you've had the timing kit done I would be happy to proceed too. You have an electric power steering pump, so even if the alternator belt came off, there would be power steering steering until the battery went flat of course.

[Stickyfinger]

Common for the belt/tensioner to --jiggle a bit-- if the lower pulley is going....mark the outer and inner parts and see if the marks move apart. (it has a rubber insert, damper, which can delaminate.)

At tickover, switch on/off the AirCon and see what the clutch does....does the tick go away, does it stay, does the belt/tensioner flutter more ?

[jml]

Thanks guys
I’m out at the moment but will investigate more later.

Alasdair, you never know, I may come round to you for your help ! You may not remember me but I’m the guy with the C8 who you helped a few years who lives quite close to you !

[Stickyfinger]

I do, happy to assist if I can....hope you get back OK.

There seems to be only one type of crank damper pulley
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY.........0515 V3 .....DIAM 158X96 6V EP 35 £167 from Citroen.

[jml]

Thanks Alasdair.

Do you reckon crank pulley is more likely than alternator pulley, with the clutch ?

I’d quickly tried the air con test earlier which didn’t seem to make much difference.

Cheers

Julian

[Stickyfinger]

IF it is the Aux belt then maybe...? do you see it/its tensioner "fluttering" ?
Did the Air-Con pulley engage ? (if you see it)

Depends where the "rattle" is coming from.....i would defer to Marc's advice before mine...always

[RichardW]

Often when it's the crank pulley, the face (and the area around the pulley if it's bad) is covered in rusty dust.

[jml]

Hi Guys, thanks for your thoughts and advice. I’ve just got back to where we’re staying and had a further look.
Problems seem to be related to ancillary belt run, rather than cam belt, as far as I can tell. It is the ancillary belt tensioner that is oscillating although I agree with the above that that’s not unusual.
1) No sign of rusty dust around crank pulley.
2) Air con clutch is working properly however when engaged the vertical front run of the ancillary belt from alternator to air con compressor ‘flaps’ excessively - to the extent that I was worried it could damage or lose the belt
3) If only I had my electronic stethoscope then I think I’d be much better able to diagnose things, unfortunately it’s 800 miles away from here.
4) As I’ve mentioned, the noise only seems to appear at tickover and seems to ease as the engine gets warmer.
5) In the morning, when it’s light and I can see better, I’ll get SWMBO on the accelerator pedal to see if the belt flapping with the a/c on is better above tickover speed.
Please keep your fingers crossed for me guys !

[Skull]

My crank pulley made most of the noise when accelerating ... hope you get home OK

[Steve Walsh]

Where in the South of France are you, I have a workshop you can use if your nearby. I am home all day today
Steve

[jml]

Hi Steve, that’s very, very kind of you.
As you’ll know, the south of France is a big place and, knowing my luck, I’ll be a long way from you !
I’m just outside of Uzès and we’re due to leave on Sunday.
If you are close that would be fabulous !
Cheers
Julian

[Steve Walsh]

I think your about 600km away, Hope you get it sorted

Steve