| Author | Message | ||
| Giang Hoang (Spidersense)
New member Username: Spidersense Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2002 |
Mark, I have the EXACT same noise. It started last winter. LOUD clacking noise when cold outside (stationary or while driving). Once warm, it goes away completely. I took the passengerside wheelwell out to take a look at the idler pulleys, but with my bare ears, I couldn't tell which pulley the noise was coming from. A guy at my shop came by for a look, and wham, ambient temperature increased above 50F and no more noise. Just my luck, Spring had arrived. Put the car back together and drove it all summer. (many people said could be moisture on belts, and I just had a major service with cam belts etc, so I wasn't too concerned). Now that it is getting cold, I can hear the noise again. So let me know what you find out ! My guess is the idler pulley as J.R. pointed out. | ||
| J. R. Vallandingham (Jrvall)
New member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 11 Registered: 11-2002 |
328's have an idler pulley for the WP/Alt belt and bearing is prone to becoming noisey. also the air intake fiberglass snorkle rubbed on the upper water pipes causing a rattle(and wearing a hole in the Aluminum pipe) on the earlier cars. The factory added padding on the later cars. So the real problem with guessing is a "lack of information" about the kind/type and location of he exact noise or noises. | ||
| J. R. Vallandingham (Jrvall)
New member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well thanks guys...really! in that case don't bother bringing them in...just hold them up to the phone so I can listen to them ! I love that joke!!! hahahaha!!! ;-) | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1615 Registered: 9-2001 |
I second that - nice to have you here JR. We alway need fresh perspectives | ||
| J. R. Vallandingham (Jrvall)
New member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>J.R. -- it's great to have you here on F-Chat. I enjoy and appreciate you're willingness to share your knowledge and expertise with the Ferrari community!<< Thanks...!!!! It's difficult to feel at ease sharing on forums because of the different perspective old guys like me develop being 'under the gun', so to speak, for so long. The first answer I usually give to someone with a 'funny noise' problem is 'bring it in' and let me, look/listen to it. With the proper tools, a mechanics stethescope and a good inspection with plenty of access and "light" all the guesswork can be taken out of situations like the one mentioned here. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 1614 Registered: 9-2001 |
mark it sounds like the alternator - upon startup the alt is under the most stress to recharge the battery - I have found it tends to whine for about 30 seconds on start up with cold out. check for other threads on this - a lot of guys have this issue | ||
| Russ Fairbanks (Russf)
Junior Member Username: Russf Post Number: 67 Registered: 3-2002 |
Mark. I believe that that advice that you are getting would be particularly useful if you would state whether you get the noise when the car is not moving. The noise in mine which I described and seems identical to yours only occurs when the car is moving and seems to increase when I go over a bum. This rules out a lot of the solutions/causes that have been mentioned or so I believe. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 467 Registered: 11-2001 |
On second thought, I believe that J.R. and Bill are on the right track about the cam belt tensioner bearings. Having been several months ago since the major service, I can't recall all the specifics; however, in addition to the water pump going south, the cam belt tensioner bearings were also about shot. Needless to say, that clackety-clack noise on cold startup left me feeling a little uneasy, considering this was my first Ferrari, and hearing all the horror stories about timing belt failures. All this was addressed with the major service, noise is gone, and no more worries  . J.R. -- it's great to have you here on F-Chat. I enjoy and appreciate you're willingness to share your knowledge and expertise with the Ferrari community! | ||
| J. R. Vallandingham (Jrvall)
New member Username: Jrvall Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2002 |
>>I had a similar sound at start up it went away after the warm up idle cut out. Turned out that the cam belt tensioner bearings were shot.>> I was thinking the same thing, although it's usualy moisture on the polyflex belts making a cracking noise. However, I've heard of funny noise stories that turned out to be not so funny :-(. | ||
| Bill Steele (Glassman)
Junior Member Username: Glassman Post Number: 119 Registered: 4-2002 |
To add some horror to this thread. I had a similar sound at start up it went away after the warm up idle cut out. Turned out that the cam belt tensioner bearings were shot. Got them replaced in the nick of time. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
Advanced Member Username: Magoo Post Number: 3360 Registered: 2-2001 |
I hope I'm wrong but also check the exhaust manifolds for a hairline crack. | ||
| j scott leonard (Jscott)
Junior Member Username: Jscott Post Number: 197 Registered: 1-2002 |
You may want to check for an exhaust leak. Could be that when the car warms up, the leak goes away as the metals expand. I understand that this is fairly common. Just a thought. I had a little exhaust leak on mine that made a little tapping noise and when we sealed the place where it was leaking, the noise went away. | ||
| Mark Rockcastle (Mrockcastle)
New member Username: Mrockcastle Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2001 |
thank you all for the advice...I will start following it on my Sunday Ride! | ||
| Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member Username: Ricrain Post Number: 270 Registered: 2-2002 |
Shoot some WD40 on your waterpump belt right after start up, just to see if it's the water pump belt. My carb 308 made a sound like someone was tapping the block lightly with a ball peen hammer. I went away completely when the car warmed up. Turned out to be the V-belt driving the waterpump. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
Member Username: Eric308gtsiqv Post Number: 465 Registered: 11-2001 |
Mark...I, too, had the exact same noise as you describe in the exact location on my 308 when I purchased it. It would eventually fade away after about 30 seconds to a minute after startup (when engine was cold). In my case, it turned out to be the water pump bearing(s), or something along those lines. My independent mechanic fixed the problem by rebuilding the water pump (needed it anyway). Sorry not to be of too much help, other than point to the source of my similar problem. If you need a more detailed explanation, feel free to e-mail me, and I can give you the name and number of my mechanic. I'm sure he would be glad to explain the particulars in my case. I know the feeling though...kind of makes you a little uneasy about driving the car too much with noises like that . | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 272 Registered: 1-2002 |
Check the a/c lines for rattling against other parts. Also could be a/c bearings. I had the noise you describe on a 308 and that's what it turned out to be. Turn on the a/c while it's making noise and see if it gets worse. If it does get worse, remove the belt and see if that eliminates the noise. Also check the small nuts that hold the cam belt cover in place. These frequently get loose and fall out. Dave | ||
| Russ Fairbanks (Russf)
Junior Member Username: Russf Post Number: 65 Registered: 3-2002 |
Mark. I have an '88 328 that I bought last March. On cold days I get precisely the same noise which seems to be coming from near the back latch point in the targa top. Never hear this noise during warms days. No noise unless the car is moving and it is not related to engine RPM or engine temperature. Rattle increases with bumps in the road and goes away once the car has been in the sun and the body warmed up. This morning I reached over and pressed up near the passenger side back latch on the T top and it seemed to reduce the noise. I will be doing more investigation and will keep you informed. | ||
| Mark Rockcastle (Mrockcastle)
New member Username: Mrockcastle Post Number: 11 Registered: 5-2001 |
I need some advice. I drive my 328 about once a week, sometimes upon starting there is a noise coming from the engine (near the top) It sounds like ball bearings spinning inside a metal chanber banging against the sides of the chamber. At first I thought it was my exhaust bumping as the frequentcy of the tinging noise was rubbing consistent with a peice of metal sitting on an exhaust pipe. It only happens when it is cold, then it goes away, even when I restart the car, the noise is not present. It am worried that I MIGHT be causing some kind if damage to the engine. Any ideas what this could be???? Thanks!!! P.S Timing belts replaced 5 years ago...car has 40K miles |