Hey guys,

The girlfriends car, 2008 Focus Mk2 1.6 Petrol seems to have an intermittent noise coming from the engine. The noise seems to be coming from roughly around the timing belt area and occurs randomly for a few seconds and then stops. Apparently when we bought it two years ago it says the timing belt was changed in the service book but I don't actually have a receipt for it so maybe it was not, also there is nothing to indicate if the water pump had been changed along with this or not. The noise seems like a high pitched squeal. The car also seems to be losing a bit of coolant. We brought it to local garage 2 weeks ago who said there was a hose leaking that he replaced but since then it still seems to be losing a bit of coolant. Maybe these are two unrelated issues but I feel they are linked.  I managed to get a short video of the noise if anyone would possibly be able to advise what it may be?

Appreciate it.

 

 

I feel it could possibly be something to do with a bearing. If mine I would take the alternator drive belt off and see if noise stops. This might help in narrowing it down. If it still makes the noise then the timing belt cover will need to come off to see wHats going on in there

Is that coolant on the engine mount?  The reservoir might be leaking if so.  If not, the mount is knackered and leaking oil lol.

I would agree with Isetta on removing the aux belt to check if the noise disappears, but they're stretch belts so could be awkward.  Obviously sounds can be misleading over the internet, but that sounds like a belt rubbing the cambelt cover to me, I wouldn't keep driving it until it's been investigated personally.

Thanks for the replies!

I will try with removing the alternator drive belt and see if that makes any difference. 

Yeah it appears to be coolant that is leaking, strangely enough I thought it seemed to be coming from the expansion tank itself?!?

There would be no chance that a fault water pump on the way could possibly be making that noise is there?

 

Yeah the reservoir/expansion tank can leak, more common on the Fiestas but the Focus ones leak as well.  The heat cycles cause little cracks in the plastic over time.  It's also possible that it's passing the cap as there is a pressure relief valve in the cap, the spring on them can become weak over time and release pressure too early.

The noise doesn't sound like the water pump to me but I wouldn't rule anything out in that area without checking it.

 

Sounds like water pump to me

Defo waterpump