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MG MGB Technical - Squeek in engine compartment

I have a repeating squeek in the engine compartment of my 1980 mgb roadster. It occurs when I first start the car and have it parked. Whether or not the car is moving, the squeek continues for about 5 - 10 minutes, then stops. The frequency of the squeek is independent of engine speed. I would appreciate any ideas about what could be the cause?

Nelson
NHW Wilson

I would start by removing the fan belt. If this eliminates the noise then it is either the belt itself the generator or the water pump.
Iain MacKintosh

The catch on my bonnet sometimes squeeks erratically.
A blob of grease on the catch fixes it.
Peter

If spraying something on the belt stops it, then it is the belt/pulleys and not the pump or alternator. In that case a new belt may seem to fix it, bjt then start squeaking itself later on. My V8 belt used to squeak and although everything was standard it seemed to me the pulleys weren't exactly in line. I shimmed out the alternator to suit and it squeaked no more.
Paul Hunt 2

Thanks for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that I tried spraying the fan belt, which didn't help. It is not the catch on my bonnet since it occurs with the bonnet lowered or raised. I will try taking the belt off, but it doesn't seem likely that it would be the water pump or alternator. It is a repeating, slow squeek and doesn't speed up when the engine is raced or when the car is moving. Any other thoughts?

Nelson
NHW Wilson

It may be caused by metal to metal contact somewhere. The exhaust manifold to header pipe may be a good place to start. It may be just loose enough to make noise until the heat of the engine expands it and it tightens up.
John H

Nelson,
Might be any of a number of things. The fact that it ceases after 5 to 10 minutes possibly means it is (at present) of minor concern - if I only had to think about a squeek I'd be content.

Apart from the above, it might be a leak at the inlet/exhaust manifold junction to the head. It might be the throwout bearing rubbing on the clutch plate fingers until you get underway, with a succession of gear changes/foreward movement causing it to drift free of the fingers. If that is the case, probably not a lot to worry about. If the duration extendes you might check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder.
Regards
Roger
Roger T

If it doesn't change with the speed of the engine it has to be organic.
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 14/06/2007 and 15/06/2007

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