Engine Screeching

[Sonas]

I'd appreciate any help. I have a 15 month old Alfa 147. Currently when the engine is running, but at rest, it makes a fairly loud screeching/whirring noise, this increases if the air conditioning is turned on or if I press on the accelerator, it is also particularly noticable when driving in lower gears. The problem sounds like it could be connected to a belt or a fan, perhaps. Shortly after buying the car it made similar noises but this it went away or was rectified during a return trip to the dealer.

Recently the engine sounded like an old deisel tractor but that was rectified with a new variator - I don't think this is the same problem.

Thanks in advance for any advice

[528i]

sounds like the fan belt, just get it tightened / replaced, they usually sound worse in wet conditions because of increased slippage etc.. you could do it yourself (2 sec job) but if overtightened as in motorbike chains etc. theyre liable to snap..

[rivolette]

Well for a 15 month old car, I don't think the belt snapping would be something to worry about yet.

A lotta times when you spill anything in the vicinity of the belt or even wash the engine, the belts get dry and start screeching. And turning on the A/C makes it worse because it puts an additional load on the belt.

Get yourself a can of "Belt Dressing" spray if it's available in your area. Spray it on there on the edges of the fan/alternator/A/C compressor belt.

Should solve your problem instantly.