Problem after garage fitted new cam belt

BeenThroughItAll

poohbear5 wrote: »

I live in Birmingham. I don't know how tell a good independent garage from a poor one but any recommendations would be welcome. Thanks

That's a shame - if it were the North East I'd have a clue, but I don't know Birmingham.

Ask the local minicab drivers who they use. They're always looking for a reliable independent who does things at a decent price. Alternatively, ask friends, colleagues, neighbours.

Stay away from big chains who Fit thinks Kwikly and main dealers.

Horizon81

Nissan Note or Micra?

poohbear5

Maybe I could start a thread. It would be useful to have a list of good garages. Thanks

poohbear5

I have a Nissan Note

Horizon81

Have a read of the review below. Some people hate belt dressings, some obviously think they work. It's up to you if you want to give it a try:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ROCOL-Dressing-Spray-300ml-ROC34295/dp/B004AEXVRQ

BeenThroughItAll

Seriously doubt that the belt is at fault here, with the noise being apparent at all times when driving. If it were belt slip, then it'd be extremely unlikely that it would be constant as engine speed, load, and temperature are such significant parameters.

Get the car to a proper garage, it should take minutes to diagnose if they know what they're doing.

Belt dressing is a very temporary cure.

OP - What is the noise you are hearing? Constant squeal, occasional squeal, drone, whistle, whine, hum, drum?

poohbear5

I will have another listen and get back to you. Thanks

poohbear5

Horizon81 wrote: »

Nissan Note or Micra?

Is there a reason the make and model is important? Thanks

BeenThroughItAll

poohbear5 wrote: »

Is there a reason the make and model is important? Thanks

Some models have common faults, knowing what the car is helps to rule in/out those faults.

In this case, my opinion is that the car is not the issue, but the lack of diagnostic ability or interest of the garage is.

Horizon81

My opinion is that it's a characteristic of the car. The old belt did it. Now the new belt does it. The garage fitted a new belt and have re-tightened it. There's not much else they can do with that belt. Assuming all tensioners and pulleys are fine - it could be that one of them is just too smooth. I've read about people removing the pulleys and tensioners and roughing them up a bit. Again, assuming the belt isn't slipping, the squeak is 2 smooth surfaces rubbing together, hence the idea of belt dressing to coat the belt and increase friction (roughen the surface). You'll also see the opposite on youtube of people using soap and candles to increase the smoothness to the point of no squeak being produced. All different schools of thought.

The relevance of asking on the car was in relation to the Note driver who posted the comment on amazon above. I'd advise you join the Nissan Note forums and ask other users on their experiences with this. I've done the same on Toyota forums - some people have spent a fortune on new parts, only to find the problem has been resolved with some good old silicone spray.