Re:update with video link of noise, belt tensioner?= it was the water pump

[mrsaunders]

my car is making what i can only describe as a whirring noise near the bottom of the cambelt cover down towards the the power steering pump somewhere, pretty hard to pinpoint but its around that area, put my head to the alternator and its not from that, im thinking belt tensioner, is this a tricky job?

[Seanl]

No, piece of pish mate. Sounds like its a little tight if its whirring. Take the upper part of the cambelt cover off, and check tension first. Should just be able to turn the belt through 90 degrees with thumb and fore finger.  Get some circlip pliers into the 2 holes in the tensioner, undo the bolt, and let it spring back very slightly. Tighten bolt, and check tension again. Loosen/Tighten as required. 

[tweed]

I know the sound mate. I had it in my 16v and my 8v. It's a common thing.
But get a cambelt and tensioner change for piece of mind

It won't be to tight. When was it last changed? And is it a new sound?

[mrsaunders]

had the car since last march, not alot of service history with it so not to sure, and yeah new sound, been doin it about a week now, it makes the car groan so loud at idle but its like a cycle sort of thing and gets louder every secound or so if that makes sense

[mrsaunders]

this is what it sounds like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIOXXdpCilU&feature=plcp&context=C3cca510UDOEgsToPDskIlJgUpXK0ZkzcJiuzl-N7t

also noticed the steering wheel wobbles really slighty
could it be my pump?

[Stirring Moose]

Hmm, water pump lives down there too remember. I got noises on my 16v when the water pump started to throw in the towel. Way I found it was to slip off the P/S belt and run the engine - still had noise hence not P/S pump. Then ran the motor briefly with the water pump drive removed - no noise. Got the pump off and sure enough, bearings were shot. New pump from GSF, bung it back together, fill with coolant, test drive from Exeter to Birmingham and back! (last part is not recommended, was kind of forced by circumstance  ).

S.M.

[luke]

sounds like a chinook is over top 
hope you get it sorted mate

[mrsaunders]

 

sounds like a chinook is over top 
hope you get it sorted mate

  yeah it is a scary noise, ill slip the power steering belt off and see if its still really load

[tweed]

Wow lol not the sound I thought it was. Hope it ain't your bottom end

[mrsaunders]

Wow lol not the sound I thought it was. Hope it ain't your bottom end

it doesnt get any louder when i accelerate, doesnt it get louder/faster when its the bottom end?