Hi guys,

My mum's got a '97 TF Exec V6. Tonight she called me saying she has a flat battery. The battery is stuffed and had only just enough juice to get home. But that's not the problem.

When I first started the engine it made a horrible high-pitched clacking noise. Quickly turned it off and checked fluids. Oil - check. Coolant - check. Radiator - check.

I'm not as mechanically minded as some of you guys, but she sounded terrible (we all know how good the 3.0L sounds when on song:)). She was able to get home OK (Burwood to Keilor)... but only just. Has done 153,000kms and had oil change only 8,000kms back. Absolutely no problems before tonight and I'm a bit worried all my pro-Magna quality talk may backfire on me...:redface:

Any ideas, or similar experiences?

Hi guys,

My mum's got a '97 TF Exec V6. Tonight she called me saying she has a flat battery. The battery is stuffed and had only just enough juice to get home. But that's not the problem.

When I first started the engine it made a horrible high-pitched clacking noise. Quickly turned it off and checked fluids. Oil - check. Coolant - check. Radiator - check.

I'm not as mechanically minded as some of you guys, but she sounded terrible (we all know how good the 3.0L sounds when on song:)). She was able to get home OK (Burwood to Keilor)... but only just. Has done 153,000kms and had oil change only 8,000kms back. Absolutely no problems before tonight and I'm a bit worried all my pro-Magna quality talk may backfire on me...:redface:

Any ideas, or similar experiences?
Could be your alternator has decided to stop alternating and instead make nasty noises.
If you don't have the mechanical ability/tools to trace the noise you are best of to get a pro in.
I don't know if you are able to but if you take off your fan belt and start the motor you should be able to eliminate wether it is your motor or starter motor which is making the noises or one of the engine driven components.
While the fan belt is off you can also rotate by hand the components to see if they are spinning easily and freely.
HOWEVER don't try and work on the motor without the right tools and some tech knowledge like a repair manual. Mechanics tend to charge double to fix amatuers stuff upslol

Why was the battery flat? Would be hard to leave headlights on.

was it just due to old age (> 3yo) or lack of charging - did anyone do a
charge-test before installing a new battery?

Alternator's bearings could be shot, but at 150k kms that's pretty young.
Bearings' life could be shortened by overtightening the belts.

Belts in good nick? (they weren't renewed at last service, any chance?)