My 2016 Citigo has developed an odd chirping noise from the front left of the engine bay. I think it is gearbox related. Here's what happens:

 

On engine cold start in neutral it happens for about 0.5 seconds then is silent. Revving the engine doesn't cause it (sounds smooth, just serviced) and nor does putting the clutch in and out.

 

On pull-away it makes a chirping sound. It does this for about the first minute or so of driving, and sometimes again at around 1500 revs when going along.

 

After about 5 minutes it totally disappears. The car drives totally fine.

 

I'm thinking it absolutely has something to do with the clutch. My son has recently learned to drive in it and there have been a few clutch burning pull-aways, especially when practicing hill starts. I'm wondering if the chirping is a slipping clutch that disappears when it warms up? This might also explain the chirping at 1500 revs.

 

Does anyone have any ideas?

Sounds more like a slightly loose alternator belt to me...

1 minute ago, skomaz said:

Sounds more like a slightly loose alternator belt to me...

 

That was my first thought. It doesn't happen at all when the engine is idling in neutral, and the alternator belt is tight. Revving has no effect either.

 

I'm not ruling it out, but it's odd that it will only happen when engaging the clutch and driving the car. It 100% doesn't happen on cold idle or revving in neutral when is when I might expect a loose alternator belt to squeak.

Alternator pulley one way sprag clutch.

 

Look at the longer length of the auxiliary drive belt if it oscillates back and forth then the unit is foutu and the shaft is direct driven.

1 hour ago, J.R. said:

Look at the longer length of the auxiliary drive belt if it oscillates back and forth

 

It definitely looks fine - no oscillation at all. The belt and everything about the alternator, tensioner, AC compressor, etc. looks and sounds totally fine.

 

The noise sounds like it's coming from the other (left) side of the engine as you sit in the car (right side when standing in front of the car looking into the engine bay). I just can't get it to make the noise when the car is stationary. I'm wondering if it could be a CV joint, brake hub squeak, clutch...