Strange noise

[Loobs]

I recently did an oil change and checked the belts. They were fairly slack as I hadn't looked at them since I put them on about 18 months ago. I adjusted the tension via the alternator. Now I have this strange 'squealing' noise when i rev the engine. I can hear it more in the cab than in the engine bay and I struggle to get the noise going when I use the throttle cable to rev it.

It is more a bearing type noise than a belt noise. Temp stays ok, oil pressure is good and it pulls like a train, I'm a bit mystified but using it for commuting with loads of gear in the back currently and really don't want to break down on th' motorway.

Any ideas appreciated.

[RebelV8]

Alternator belts are too tight! The noise you can hear is the alternator bearings telling you this, the belts are that tight that the alternator shaft has been forced to the right (as you look at the front of the engine). loosen the belts slightly

[Loobs]

Legend!

Did that and it is sorted. I realise it makes perfect sense to undo what you did, but I would have sworn they weren't too tight.

[RebelV8]

Good to know it's sorted, easy way to check in future is to try pushing on the belt in the middle of it's longest stretch, it shouldn't flex more than about 10mm (1/4 inch). Anymore than this is to slack and any less is to tight.

[Loobs]

In my defence, there was 10mm and more of slack, probably about 20mm now but not hanging off like they were previously.

There is still a bit of noise there, may have to get Mr. N to take a shufty.