What is this noise? Video inside:

martz0r

Active LVC Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2011
Messages
152
Reaction score
0
Location
Sarasota County
This seems to happen randomly. I used a steel pipe as a stethoscope and I think it may be coming from the idler pulley area but before I go buying any parts I wanted to see if you guys have had any input or anyone has had success in fixing it before. I couldn't figure out how to embed on here so here is the link:

http://youtu.be/v4ykXux6u94

Thanks!
 
Well I would have already removed belt and gave the pulleys a spin by hand...don't forget the ac compressor as well as waterpump and alternator

That noise is bad enough you will be able to tell which pulley it is
 
Listening on a phone isn't the best audio, if it were recorded in stereo and I had speakers ...maybe

Its in the belt line somewhere. Still pics would help so I can zoom, but (with motor off) wiggle each pulley. There should be no play in any of them. Check the belt for cracks. Rotate the clutch on the AC compressor. It almost sounds like the low drone of a failing power steering pump, any problems steering? Hows the fluid look-clear / red?
 
Almost sounds like the water pump but could be the idler pulley. Like said above, remove the belt and grab each one, especially the water pump and see if it has any play. If there is no play, put the belt back on and while the car is running, spray WD-40 or the like behind the idler pulley, not on the belt and don't spray at all if the cooling fan is on. If it is the idler pulley, the noise should stop and you'll know to swap it out but that is a weird sound so that's why I'm kinda feeling like it might be the water pump.
 
I'm betting its at least one of those things spinning that's no good any more
 
My idler pulley went bad a few months ago and started making more of a whining/ groaning sound which was constant..didnt sound like what yours sounds like..then again i suppose it could make more than one type of sound..
 
Mine was more of a loud pig squeal and the water pump pretty much made the same noise. Both were on the 94. Now I have an extra water pump and idler pulley. If I ever hear the squeal again, I'll have the part already to fix it. I only use a Gates belt too but always keep a spare belt in the trunk tub, along with the pull bar. Had a Gator Back once and IMO, they suck.

EDIT: Let me rephrase this. The Gatorback sucked on my 94 but the Gates worked perfect. Sorry to derail over a belt. I had a drink or three and I don't drink lol. (101)
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Gonna pull the belt off tomorrow and check the pulleys by hand for any noises or looseness. The only problem is it does it intermittently which means not hearing anything is likely what's going to happen. Will a water pump from a SOHC fit? Pretty sure I have one laying around from my Crown Victoria's first motor.

I only use a Gates belt too but always keep a spare belt in the trunk tub, along with the pull bar. Had a Gator Back once and IMO, they suck.

What's the reason for that? On the Crown Vics, the Gatorbacks are the only serp belts that don't cause the 1-2 shift squeal after doing the j-mod. I put a Gatorback on this car too.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Gonna pull the belt off tomorrow and check the pulleys by hand for any noises or looseness. The only problem is it does it intermittently which means not hearing anything is likely what's going to happen. Will a water pump from a SOHC fit? Pretty sure I have one laying around from my Crown Victoria's first motor.



What's the reason for that? On the Crown Vics, the Gatorbacks are the only serp belts that don't cause the 1-2 shift squeal after doing the j-mod. I put a Gatorback on this car too.

Because I had put one on my 94 with no engine problems and it seemed within 6 months or so, it had cracks in it, like it was dry rotting and was slipping when turning on the AC on. I switched to gates back then and ran that belt till I put in a 98 trans and done a j-mod in 2010 and it never slipped or looked cracked. People swear by both belts. Maybe it's just individual experience. Maybe the one I bought sucked...
 

Members online

No members online now.
Back
Top