What's wrong with my car?

[Houdi]

This is the first significant problem I've had with it since I bought it brand new about 6 years ago. It makes a puttering, whistling sound when I accelerate. It started a few weeks back but has suddenly got much worse. It's worse when the engine is cold and when I'm in a low gear. The whistle gets higher as I accelerate then gets lower again when I change up a gear. I can barely hear it in the high gears. The car is a Smart Pure FourTwo with about 28,000 miles on the clock. It's a petrol car and is offically a manual although the gears are electric and change down automatically by themselves. The sound comes from the rear of the car where the engine is. I have it serviced every 10,000 miles and it passed its MOT just fine about 10 months ago. Any ideas what the problem might be? More importantly, how safe is it?

[sara3]

a screechy whistle could be your fan belt on its way out.

I can't offer any more than that, sorry! but it's been 10 months since your MOT so little things can still go wrong.

[Houdi]

Thank you. I'm not sure it's the fan belt though. It's not a screech, it's a definite whistle and the spluttering is unlikely to be caused by a fan belt. I don't have a problem with the car going wrong, I'm just concerned to know what the problem is and if it's safe to drive it until I get it fixed.

[shylock73]

Have it checked at a garage or another service

[Houdi]

That's exactly what I'm planning to do. I just want to know if it's safe to drive.

[TWR]

Hi, It sounds as if there is a leak in the air intake pipe or one of the circular clips have come loose, also check the breath hole within the petrol cap.

[Houdi]

Thanks for that. I've got it booked in for tomorrow and from what you say I can drive it there pretty safely :o)