Strange water/hissing noise (Update Oh Sh*t)

[DanielM]

Over the past few days a strange noise has appeared from the engine. It sounds like hissing water as if the radiator cap has been left off or a water pipe has split/come off, but there are no visible signs of a water leak. The noise is intermittent and isnt constant, it happens like every 30 secs to a minute.

There isnt any noticeable signs that its affecting the performance of the car. When I opened the bonnet it sounded like it was coming from the alternator/radiator area.

My first thoughts were water pump, but not sure how to check.

If anyone has any ideas it would be very much appreciated. Oh an the car is a 53 reg, 1.4 16v dynamic.

[markren2004]

My first thoughts were water pump, but not sure how to check.

could be...you really need some physical sign like the coolent level has got lower, or see some water dripping from somewhere.
try and visibly check all the water pipe joints and radiator for signs of a leak.
Any garage can do a pressure test quite easily.

[Andy_CC]

Has your meg got air con??? It may not be this but worth a shot.

If so it COULD BE the air con short of refrigerant, the compressor will start and because there isnt enough refrigerant in the system you will get a hissing sound through the pipes and its also noticeable inside the car, and as the pressure pulls down in the system the compressor will short cycle, running for approx 30 seconds to a minute then cutting out, pressure rises and cuts in again. Get this quite alot with Pug 206 and Porche 911s.

If you havent got air con then ignore this

[DanielM]

It does have air con yes, but I'm almost certain its not that.

On closer inspection it now sounds like a metal on metal sound, but inside the car it sounds a bit like water. I think it could either be the alternator, or one of the tensioners/bearings?

[DanielM]

I took it into Renault this morning so they could have a listen and soon as I started it up, the guy said I shouldnt be driving it as it could be something connected to the cambelt and that 'something has definitely gone'. So its at Renault now so they can check whats actually up.

Hope its nothing to serious, cant afford to fork out loads of cash right now.

[DanielM]

Right Renault have called to say they suspect the water pump to have gone and they want £600 to sort this and fit a new cambelt while its being done.

[DanielM]

Im not letting them rape me of £600. I have a Renault specialist who's quoted me £330 all in. So just goes to show how over priced Renault are.

[DanielM]

Well my lucks gone from bad to worse, picked the car up from Renault to take it home so I could leave it off the road until I had enough money for the work to be done and SNAP!! Cambelt has gone........looks like the car will be off the road longer than one has anticipated.

Not sure as to the extent of the damage internally but knowing my luck I bet all the valves are bent etc.

[Toosh]

Jeeez thats bad luck.

Hope its not damaged to much, fingers crossed for you

[mgodden1989]

sorry to hear such bad news this close to xmas! i was god-smacked to see how much Renault wanted for new cam-belt/water pump. had the cam belt changed on my megane at beginning of the year, was carried out by local indepedent garage (not renault approved, just a local garage). they used genuine renault parts, for the complete kit, and fitting plus VAT, the lot was just under £300. i cannot see how they could justify charging £600, surely the water pump is not that expensive. obviously would have made sense to have had the cam changed as they would more than likely have had to remove the cam to change the water pump.

anyway, hope you can get the car sorted sometime soon... keep us updated!

[DanielM]

Yeah my local Renault specialist quoted me just over £300, and he couldnt believe the price they wanted.

Water pump is only about £30-40 I think from euro car parts, and yeah when changing the water pump they have to remove the cam belt to do so.

[Andy_CC]

Did renault inspect the car to diagnose the faulty water pump??? you sure they havent funked around with summat causing your cam belt to snap??? seems a bit suspect to me???

[DanielM]

Hmmm, would be very hard to prove if they did.

It might not be as bad as first feared, as it looks like the aux belt thats snapped. I need to have a good look during the day.

Does anyone have a pic of the cambelt and aux belts on the car? I dont have my haynes manual to hand.