Car has been starting poorly recently. On driving it today it sounded loud and rough. It drove fine with no warning lights on dash. Noticed it was idling at 1k rather than 600room though. I have attached link to video showing how it sounds. There is a bit of a squeaking that can be heard under the clatter.... Could it be a belt issue of some sort??

Engine noisy on idle: http://youtu.be/2KyGO1hOeAw

Silly question is your oil level ok the noise sounds like an alternator bearing, high rpm is normally pcv valve plastic valve under filter.

Yep plenty of oil in it. I wonder if the belt tensioner is on its way out but it could be many things I guess......

Test the 1 way clutch in the alternator pulley.

Judging by the way the belt tensioner is jumping around I would say the over run pulley on the alternator has seized

That definitely sounds like the alternator clutch/pulley.

 

Pretty simple to test. Remove the belt then spin the pulley. You'll know straight away if it's knackered.

 

Also the 1k rpm is normal. Idle can be anywhere from 800rpm to 2000rpm.

 

It uses many things to decide what to idle at such as battery voltage, oil temp, coolant temp, intake temp etc.

 

If the pulley is broken this could explain the idle. It's raising the idle to try and get the alternator to kick out more juice but the pulley may be affecting it's performance.

 

Phil

Thanks guys. Will have a good look tomorrow when the world warms up a bit as it's not got above freezing here today...

Well it was indeed the alternator clutch pulley.

Car should be back on the road Wednesday.

Cheers folks