47 replies to this topic

[Thorney]

Following my ticking issue at Anglesey there have been a couple of others VXT's show up with this problem. Following a bit of investigation it turns out the alternator belt on the VXT can come off the pulley leading to the guide pulley 'ticking' as it isn't under enough pressure from the belt.

On my car this led to the belt starting to fray but I got it replaced before it sheared. On another car it sheared, snapped, hit the cambelt, which snapped as well and led to engine blow

Dealers appear to be a little confused over this as one AmD customer took his ticking VXT in and they blamed the fuel solenoid valve As a result the customer took it back to AmD who asked me to be around to check what it was....well I was right.

The picture below shows the belt sliding off the pulley:



So the advice is this. If you get a loud (its is pretty audible) ticking noise which increases with engine revs its is likely to be the alternator belt, save yourself (and the dealer) time in checking other things out and tell them. I understand Vauxhall are looking into an uprated part swap if you get the problem.

[goofballs]

I have had the problem twice, once during early mileage, this was put back into its place by Vauxhall, and a second time, that occured after I was driving my car hard. It would subsequently dissapear once the car cooled down. Again I had this fixed by my other mechanic. Is there an official recall from Vauxhall ? cheers

[Thorney]

No, it doesnt seem to affect that many cars (maybe build number related, I don't know). My reason for posting is that it costs time and money to investigate these things and if dealers don't know then it just wastes everyones time and end of the day time is money.

[ricer]

I (and I am sure lambo too) get a fairly loud ticking from my na usually audible as you build revs from tickover, we had assumed this was the fuel pump or something. Is it likely to be the same problem? as I would obviously like to get it sorted if so. edited cos I cant spell.

Edited by ricer, 16 April 2004 - 10:34 AM.

[madasahatter]

Thorney. This might be too much to ask (especially if yours is fixed) but any chance of a wave file of the sound it makes when it is playing up? Only, the VX engine is largely not insulated for sound, and it makes all sorts of ticking noises. One man's tick could be another man's rattle, and it sounds fairly important that this is identified. Thanks for the heads up on this one. Steve

[two4oneuk]

Havn't heard mine ticking but will have a look anyway. Might manage to spot a bit of bother before it actually happens.

[Thorney]

I've not got a recorder with me today but it really is a very audible ticking noise (ie it is consistent) which rises and falls in frequency with engine revs. Sound eminates from the right hand side of the engine bay, if you suspect something iots a simply job to remove the wheel arch and have a look.

[Gedi]

I think the ticking is just a tell tale sign. From the way I understand Thorneys post, just make sure the belt is secure with good tension, it is in good order, start the engine check it runs true. Taking this into account, I don't think you need a wav file. *grammar

Edited by Gedi, 16 April 2004 - 11:21 AM.

[Gedi]

Erm thorney sneaked that above post in there. (I should learn to post faster) Can you not see the belt without removing the wheel? It sorta makes my method a ball ache otherwise

[waverunner]

My VXT ticks but its intermittant. When it does it's quite loud and the noise seems to originate from the intake on the right hand side behind the drivers door. The problem is the noise doesn't increase with engine revs - it just seems to die away as the revs increase. I'll certainly check it tonight though. John.

[Thorney]

Nope, belt is completely covered by inner wheel arch so its a wheel off job. Inner arch is a POP to remove though, just a couple of allen bolts.

[ricer]

Can I just clarify. Does the NA suffer from the same problem?

[earlystock]

I was told by the mechanic that the pulley was 4mm out of line and that a completely redesigned bracket was required (which I suspect I amy be one of the only owners of!) In my case the noise was very like a traditional fan felt slip/chirp (for those of you old enough to actually remember fan belts!). If in doubt have it checked, 'cause trust me, the sound does eventually go away, along with the engine.

[earlystock]

bump it's important that people are aware of this

[SILVERSPEED]

John - really appreciated you sorting this for me. I cannot understand why VX dealers lack so much simple knowledge about our cars. It took AMD half an hour to identify the fault when my local dealer had the car for two whole days and concluded the clam had to come off as the solenoid was over working on the FCV!!! Do they go out of their way to try and make the ownership experience as painful as possible? I am so glad I spoke to Thorney and the AMD guys before letting them loose on the car. John would you pass on my thanks to the team at AMD - at least one Company seems enthusiastic about the VX and supports its owners in a professional manner.

[k3mps]

I was told by the mechanic that the pulley was 4mm out of line and that a completely redesigned bracket was required (which I suspect I amy be one of the only owners of!)

In my case the noise was very like a traditional fan felt slip/chirp (for those of you old enough to actually remember fan belts!). If in doubt have it checked, 'cause trust me, the sound does eventually go away, along with the engine.

had mine done today was the same as the quote above

this is becoming a common fault

my bother in law can change the bracket and do the job for £100 (before your engine blows up)

[P444UL_R]

Ar$e! mine has just started doing this... Litrally after I read the post. Turned the radio down to find out what the noise was.

[P444UL_R]

DOUBLE AR$E ! Just took it for a quick run to see if it was still doing it. Tick got louder (flailing) parked it up turned off the engine. popped the engine cover and started her again.... engine died and the belt was not to be seen..(snapped) Its now sitting outside a friends house with a broken Fan/accessory belt. The engine won't start... hope it hasnt caused any other damage There is always an upside to these things... I wont have to go for a run tonight as the VXT pushing sorted my exercise requirements for the day.... I still love it just hope its not off the road too long PAul

[SILVERSPEED]

Dealer ordered my belt and belt tensioner last Friday - chased today but still not in. I think thorney said his took two weeks!! Good luck

[earlystock]

DOUBLE AR$E !
Just took it for a quick run to see if it was still doing it. Tick got louder (flailing) parked it up turned off the engine. popped the engine cover and started her again.... engine died and the belt was not to be seen..(snapped)
Its now sitting outside a friends house with a broken Fan/accessory belt. The engine won't start... hope it hasnt caused any other damage

There is always an upside to these things... I wont have to go for a run tonight as the VXT pushing sorted my exercise requirements for the day....

I still love it just hope its not off the road too long

PAul

If the car sounds normal when you try to start the engine, it might be OK, mine had no compression and simply whined when the starter was pressed. Took nearly 2 months to get mine sorted, most of which was spent waiting for a pulley bracket. Stu Harris was VERY helpful when I asked him to help me get the bracket, and in fact he got it for me in the end.