Philip-
Your diagnosis is a were I would start. It's the easiest and you have to
replace the water pump anyway.
If your initial "fixes" don't fix the problem:
The chirps could be from an alternator bearing going out. (does the pulley
wobble?) Could be the cause of the ignition light flashes as well.
However, every British car I have ever owned, the ignition light will come
on at very low RPM.
I'm not sure if a 74 uses a mechanical fuel pump. They can chirp
intermittently. Especially if the fuel lines are disconnected (using an
electric) and the pump is left on, or they are about ready to go.
I've located stray sounds by sticking a small rubber hose in my ear and
*carefully* put the other end on the different components.
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Philip Hubbard
Sent: Saturday, September 25, 1999 6:43 AM
To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Alternator Lights, Engine Bay Chirps and Leaks
Hello fellow listers:
Arioch, the '74 Midget has been in the shop for some time and just came
back to me with a new chassis "cross member" and the accident damage
pulled back out so that I don't have approximately 3 degrees neg camber.
:)
But I've notice some other issues in the past few days (alternator light
just today).
1) Engine chirps at start up. Kind of a rhythmic chirp, pause, chirp,
pause, chirp etc in pretty rapid succession. I'm just trying to say not
a constant chiiiiiiiiirp. Doesn't seem to make the noise after the car
has been going a while.
2) Alternator light comes on intermittently. Worse at lower RPMs - for
instance never seen it come on yet at highway speeds. But not always on
at lower speeds.
3) Bit of wetness under the water pump.
I've got a preliminary diagnosis and wanted to see if the list thought it
was a logical first place to start.
How about two different problems?
Chirp from a water pump going south causing a bit of a leak as well.
Water/anti-freeze doesn't seem to be coming from any hose I can see.
Alternator light from a loose belt (though it doesn't feel
<underline>that</underline> loose). Trying to figure out why it isn't
always on and never at speed. Wondering if the slip is made up for by
higher RPM on the highway, but can't be made up for at lower RPM.
I'm anxious to see if I might be even close. I've already bought the
water pump because it isn't that expensive and it seems a logical place
to start. If it isn't bad, I don't mind having a spare in the boot.
Thanks for any ideas.
Philip
1974 Damask Red Midget - Arioch, Lord of Chaos
1960 BRG Bugeye Sprite - First up for restoration
1973 Damask Red Midget - Project car for sale
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