Hi All.
We've had this Focus for years with only the normal services and replacements, but recently after dunking it in a nasty pothole there's been a whirring or low whining noise on starting and turning, which changes pitch when accelerating. Not particularly loud, but worrying all the same. My local garage has advised me that an auxiliary tensioner and belt change would be advisable, but the car has had a hard life so I'm wondering if some other problem like the steering rack might be behind it. Any thoughts or anyone who's had similar noise?
Thanks for your time.
Iain

Aux belt and/or tensioner sounds correct for those symptoms. 

The steering rack doesn't move when the engine starts and won't be affected by acceleration.

Has the cambelt ever been replaced?  If not, that's well overdue and could equally be the cause of the noise.

50 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Aux belt and/or tensioner sounds correct for those symptoms. 

The steering rack doesn't move when the engine starts and won't be affected by acceleration.

Has the cambelt ever been replaced?  If not, that's well overdue and could equally be the cause of the noise.

Thanks. I was going to buy replacements anyway as they're not expensive, so first thing to try. Getting to the tensioner seems a bit of a palaver but needs must.. Yeah, I think the cambelt was replaced a few years ago. I think it's done about 50,000 km