Over the last few days I've noticed a strange noise coming from my engine, so I was wondering if some knowledgeable people on here could suggest what it might be before I take the car to the garage.

I have a Fabia Comfort 16V 1.4 petrol engine, a 2001/2 model, and I know the sound is definitely from the engine - I've stopped the car, put down the clutch and revved the engine - and that's when what I can best describe as a scraping or grating sound kicks in. It's most audible above 2000rpm, and it makes the engine sound a lot louder than usual, like a roar. More sports car like I guess! But it can be heard as something more subtle at lower revs and occasionally I've heard something clicked and scraping around when the engine's idle. If I'm going fast, there's a quieter sound, a light scraping in the background.

There hasn't been any noticeable difference in performance at all, and otherwise the car drives just as normal, aside from the sound. Has anybody got any ideas?

Over the last few days I've noticed a strange noise coming from my engine, so I was wondering if some knowledgeable people on here could suggest what it might be before I take the car to the garage.

I have a Fabia Comfort 16V 1.4 petrol engine, a 2001/2 model, and I know the sound is definitely from the engine - I've stopped the car, put down the clutch and revved the engine - and that's when what I can best describe as a scraping or grating sound kicks in. It's most audible above 2000rpm, and it makes the engine sound a lot louder than usual, like a roar. More sports car like I guess! But it can be heard as something more subtle at lower revs and occasionally I've heard something clicked and scraping around when the engine's idle. If I'm going fast, there's a quieter sound, a light scraping in the background.

There hasn't been any noticeable difference in performance at all, and otherwise the car drives just as normal, aside from the sound. Has anybody got any ideas?

Sorry to ask what you probably could have tried already but have you checked under the bonnet while it's been idling and got someone to push the throttle a bit, and listen out, trying to pinpoint the noise?

I'm not at all technical but my only guess at an engine mount or noisy alternator/tensioner?

The aircon compressor can make a fair bit of noise when it's turned on

I would say likely to be the aux belt tensioner or alternator bearings. If it only does it with the clutch in, clutch release bearing.

Thanks for the replies guys!

I did as you suggested and got someone to take a look and listen while I revved the engine. We found out that the cam belt cover was loose - one of the clips (the furthest one from you as you open the boot) was no longer attached. However, we weren't able to reattach it. Nothing seems to be broken - the metal clip is still there, and from what we can tell, there's still something for it to attach onto, but it just doesn't want to stay. Does anyone have any ideas about how these should clip on?

For now we've just taken the whole cover off, deeming that as safest until we can reattach it, but that's obviously a very temporary solution.

Good news eh! just keep fingers clear of engine area with bonnet raised.LOL

Hmm... I probably spoke to soon, the grating sound is still there. I'm sure the cam belt cover coming loose is linked somehow though. Any more ideas?

Hmm... I probably spoke to soon, the grating sound is still there. I'm sure the cam belt cover coming loose is linked somehow though. Any more ideas?

have you tried driving it with the cam cover off?

have you recently had your timing belt changed?

If the clip is intact but won't connect then the cover has probably been put back on slightly wrong.

Also check the cambelt tensioners - the plastic outer parts tend to split and come loose which may explain your noise.

Edited 3 June, 201016 yr by bnjyn