I was driving my dad’s 2015 Fiesta Van when it began to make a strange rattle noise which I first thought was a heat shield, then did a 3 point turn when I hear a PING noise. I got out and behind the car was what is pictured and it was burning hot, can anyone help with what it could be? Maybe pulley related? 
 

note - the rattle disappeared and the car seams to be running fine again? 

OMG !!

I fear you may have run over and killed Zebedee 😢

Does the van have AC ?

Is it still working ?

19 minutes ago, unofix said:

Does the van have AC ?

Is it still working ?

Thanks for the reply, no it does not have AC

Still thinking on this. So the van starts and drives with out any problems ?

How big is the object ? May be take a photo next to a 10p coin

Tom is good at guessing @TomsFocus

8 hours ago, unofix said:

Still thinking on this. So the van starts and drives with out any problems ?

How big is the object ? May be take a photo next to a 10p coin

Tom is good at guessing @TomsFocus

Correct, starts fine seems to be running normal, see pic for size ref against 10p coin.

looking online that black cap that fell off seems to be pointing to the alternator, I will check under the bonnet once it’s light after work. 

I don't know what that is.

Had a few different thoughts but none of them fit that exactly.  Closest I can get is either a detent bolt or the inside of a reverse light switch/pressure relief valve.

However, it looks like there's an engineering number on the top, which suggests that would be available separately from Ford.  All I can make out is the end of the number '852-BA'.  If you can clean the dirt off and read the rest of the number that could be useful.

46 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I don't know what that is.

Had a few different thoughts but none of them fit that exactly.  Closest I can get is either a detent bolt or the inside of a reverse light switch/pressure relief valve.

However, it looks like there's an engineering number on the top, which suggests that would be available separately from Ford.  All I can make out is the end of the number '852-BA'.  If you can clean the dirt off and read the rest of the number that could be useful.

Ahh, good spot!! I will clean it once I get home this evening and let you know what it says 

5 hours ago, JY1998 said:

Ahh, good spot!! I will clean it once I get home this evening and let you know what it says 

The number is AV60-40A352-BA seems like alternator pulley 

I was not even close to guessing that!

Number is slightly wrong there.  It's AV6Q-10A352-BA.  But still the same part.

I'm interested to know whether the aux belt is still on?  At minimum I'd expect to see the battery light if it isn't.  Fortunately this engine uses the timing belt to run the waterpump so no risk of engine damage.

12 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I was not even close to guessing that!

Number is slightly wrong there.  It's AV6Q-10A352-BA.  But still the same part.

I'm interested to know whether the aux belt is still on?  At minimum I'd expect to see the battery light if it isn't.  Fortunately this engine uses the timing belt to run the waterpump so no risk of engine damage.

Had a better look now it’s light, the aux belt has gone, the pulley is loose/wobbly - hoping to get away with a pulley kit/new belt rather than alternator. Hopefully some videos on YouTube out there. Have you any experience with these? 

I don't have any direct experience replacing these.  Though they're not an uncommon failure across various makes and models.

It could have been damaged by the alternator seizing up.  But if the alternator still spins fine without any resistance then you should get away with just a new clutch pulley on there.

39 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I don't have any direct experience replacing these.  Though they're not an uncommon failure across various makes and models.

It could have been damaged by the alternator seizing up.  But if the alternator still spins fine without any resistance then you should get away with just a new clutch pulley on there.

Will whip it out at the weekend and have a look. Fingers crossed! Thanks for your help, much appreciated!