whistling Zafira

Hi all, I have a 2004 Zafira 1.8. Club petrol. Only 14k miles on clock,
there is a whistling noise from the engine,which seems to be slightly worse
when engine at working temp.

Car starts and drives normally otherwise.I know they are not the quietest of
engines,but has anyone any clues what it might be? Car still under
guarantee,but would still like to know if it`s a sign of impending
trouble,or is it a `feature` of these cars?

Any advice appreciated......Regards.......Doug

 

It's only a 'feature' if it's whistling "yankee doodle".
Does the whistle rise and fall with engine speed, with vehicle speed only,
or is it constant?
--
Richard "Productively wasting time"

If replying directly, remove "aqua".

-----

 

Assuming is not the alternator and / or belts, are you sure it is not the
power steering pump wining away ? Try turning the
steering wheels slowly and see if its pitch changes.

Gio

 

Thanks for the replies lads, the noise seems to be there at tickover,but
could mebbe be `masked` when revving up. I will do the power steering test
and see wot happens!

I was worried in case the timing belt was mebbe too tight or loose,as I take
it the engine
would not be too happy if the belt slipped or broke!
I will check further using your suggestions Regards...........Doug.

 

Doug,
Let us know what you find ?

Gio

 

Hello again guys, well I tried turning the steering as suggested,and noise
got louder but only for a fraction of a second,then back to its usual steady
high pitched `whistle`!
It`s definitely worse when engine reaches working temperature. I have still
to try switching aircon on and off to see if there is any effect.Can`t spare
the time at moment to pop it into a garage.
Car seems to run ok otherwise, if a little heavy on the gas! it does 25mpg
on short journeys,but loadsa room etc. so not complaining too much! will
plod on and see wot turns up!
regards....Doug.

 

Car still under

Best get it back asap. apart from things already listed (all possible) I
would add an induction leak (maybe theres a pipe on the inlet thats not
fitted right) or concieveably anything at all that rotates!

Mike

 

25 mpg isn't too hot; unless it's an auto, maybe something isn't quite
right. My wife's 1.8 manages 32 mpg on the school run i.e. 2 miles each
way. Sorry no help on the whistle.

 

I wish I could get 32mpg! car is manual gears, and even driving with
economy in mind, only does 25mpg. on average,short journeys, and 35mpg.at
steady 55mph on motorway.

As regards the whistling noise, it seems to be something with power
steering, as holding
steering on lock makes the noise disappear!
Car is only one year old,with genuine 14k. miles,and to tell the truth,I am
a little disappointed with the car in general.

Regards to all from Doug.

 

my zafira 1600 started off with very bad fuel consumption but the dealer
said it "had to learn my driving style"

one thing i did learn, although it was hard, was not to pull away at full
throttle !
tried to get them to tune the car for economy rather tham performance but
they said you couldn't do that

i guess the fault is mine. it's designed to carry 7 people + kit so it's
not their fault i drive it one up and empty

dB

 

I agree with mike, you have an air leak between the air-flow sensor and
the engine. 25 mpg is low. A mate with a similar spec 1.8 auto gets more
like 35mpg.
Dave

 

Thanks for seconding that Dave.

On the economy bit, our zaf 1.8 was giving poor economy, mid 20's urban.
discovered cause was the knackered thermostat I had been
meaning to replace for some time. I figured, no hurry as it was opening to
soon, there was no danger of overheating. car was cold in mornings ant temp
guage rarely shifted, but would go up and heat up if engine was worked hard.
It eventually dawned on me that because the ecu was sensing a cool engine
all the time it was forever running rich. like driving a car with the choke
pulled out all the time! Had to buy a stat from vx, as its a special part
(always is for our cars!) complete with housing. cost @ 35 notes, which is
why I put off changing it in the first place, but now its done, car warms up
brilliant. wife complains about the heat. (having something to moan about
makes her happy). Best part is we are now getting at least an extra 8mpg.
maybe more, as havnt had time to do a comprehensive test, just based on a
few fills.

Mike

 

Hello all from the O P, well the car is definitely not running cool,so can
rule that out for the poor mpg. Have checked mpg several times,and always
works out at 25mpg. on trips of about 8 miles,even when I drive with economy
in mind,and car not loaded with stuff and driver only on board.
I can easily afford to run it even at 25mpg, but would not like to think it
is mebbe running `rich` or summat! Comments about possible air leak duly
noted for further checking,but whistling noise `does` go away when holding
steering on lock,so don`t know if p.s. belt is mebbe a wee bit slack.

thanks for all the comments regards....Doug.