I have a chirping noise at idle from the front of engine,, water pump??

 

Can you provide a video/sound file so we can hear the noise?

May well be a drive belt.

 

hum, how do I add a audio file? what format?

 

Here are some old TSBs for the older XKs

bob gauff

 

You can add a file to your post by clicking on the manage attachments button. I think .wmv is the only video/sound extension accepted, or you can upload it to youtube etc. and provide a link.

 

Start with the belt. The belt will often chirp once it comes in contact with coolant, even it it is washed off.

 

Does the chirp go away after about 30 seconds of running? Is it RPM dependent? I had that. Unfortunately I cannot tell you what it was. I had my tensioners replaced, along with the drive belt, supercharger belt, and water pump.

 

Supercharger belt noise when the engine is cold is a fairly common annoyance. If it goes away after the engine warms up, that could be what it is.

Cleaning sometimes helps. Safety warning: only do this if you arent fond of your fingers. Start the engine and hold a piece of scotch brite against the belt while its idling. Inside and outside edges are usually the culprit.

Another option is the spray belt treatment. When the scotch brite wouldn't do it I tried CRC Belt Treatment out of desperation. Spritz a little on both sides of the belt while off and then start the car. It made an awful squeezing until the spray burnt off but once that was over, quiet as can be.

Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from the spray but it seems to have kept the squeeling at bay for a few thousand miles so far.

 

I'd read through the attachments Motorcarman sent you first. For myself, I had a constant noise and it took about 5 minutes to take the belt off and rotate each component by hand. It was immediately obvious that the idler pulley bearing was bad.

 

I took the belt off, spun the idler, tensioner and water pump... All okay. WP makes a slight rubbing noise for half a turn each revolution. Washed the front with simple green and water. start up and no chirp. washed off the top of engine and now have restricted perf.. In previous xk8 would get that sometimes when car went in rain.


I'll just blow out all connectors and wait .

 

(double post)

 

For you belt experts, would this sound be indicative of a supercharger belt that needs replacement?

After about 5mins of driving, the noise goes away. It also only appears when it is colder outside.

[youtube]DRiNRaShJrs[/youtube]

 

sounds like my belt did. I replaced my belt and the chirp is gone.

 

Thanks. I ordered a new Gatorback supercharger belt, hopefully this will take care of the issue.

Now I'm looking for a place in Europe where I could order a tool for getting this thing replaced. Unfortunately I don't have any welding equipment to make one myself.