hello i'm going to view a skoda fabia 1.4 2001 plate tommorrow , but i have been told that there is a noise coming from the belt area

i am unsure as to weather it is a 8v or 16v model at the moment so it could be chain driven ?

i just want to know what i should look out for the diagnose the promblem? apparently the noise is only when at idle

any suggestions would be great thanks

if its the mpi 8v its a chain and normal. Mine does it .

Best check how many miles it has done it needs changing at around 120k miles

Whilst its at idle and the owner is away from you, hold down the engine plastic cover! If it goes away, you have a great bargaining chip as it has an "unknown noise", yet you know its something seriously easy and cheap to sort!

ive found out the engine is an 8v , so i pressume its chain driven ? , its only done 33k so hopfully its nothing major , a few people have said it could be something to do with the alternator slip bearing or something ? , can anyone shed any light on this ? , i just want to eleminate the timing area being at fault , a noisey aux i can deal with

thanks

The only belt on it if it's non a/c is the alternator belt, it's about £8 and 10 minutes to replace, check it for cracks if it's origional. If it's the chain then regular (12 months or 10k) oil changes should have been carried out, they can get noisy with age but you change them when they get annoying. As discussed the engine covers rattle, especially the badges on them. Check for a revised HG (T on the right hand front corner as you look at the car from the front) make sure the coolant has no 'sparkle' from additive and is pink, no sludge. Check the console bushes by putting the steering at full lock to the right then checking the drivers side underneath for tears, opposite to test the left. Knocks going over bumps are likely console bushes or drop links but also glance at the anti roll bar. It should hit 12 o'clock on the temp gauge within 2 miles and shouldn't move.

sorry im in a rush to type , can u elaborate on the revised t please ? also the car has only 33k on the clock but it is a 2001 model , so if the oil hasnt been changed as regularly shall i still be concerned ? thanks

Missed this previously so sorry for the late reply.

As you look at the car from the front look at the engine, on your right the front corner of the engine where the head meets the block you will be able to see the head gasket, it should have a 'T' visible if it's had the replacement done. While you're at it you'll probably notice a little oil, this is usually from the rocker cover gasket, it's another 10 minute job that'll cost you about £4 to fix but you'll need to take the plastic engine cover off to confirm. What you know is a cheap fix the owner probably doesn't or they'd have done it.