| Author |
Message |
Robert W. Garven Jr. (Robertgarven)
Junior Member
Username: Robertgarven
Post Number: 68
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, August 05, 2002 - 7:40 pm: | |
Guys,
I have a stethescope and was amazed at the rattling sound the tensioner bearings made when toching the bolt ends. I replaced them and it made the same noise, sounded to me like they were going bad, but they were not. When my rear timing drive bearing failed it made a different rattling sound every few seconds caused by the gears coming out of mesh due to the bearings moving around in the races after the cage broke making the shaft rotate off center. very scary.
Rob |
Paul Newman (Newman)
Member
Username: Newman
Post Number: 302
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 04, 2002 - 9:14 pm: | |
When were the tensioners replaced last? You can use a long screwdriver with more accuracy and put your ear to the handle. Touch the blade on the tensioner mount stud through the timing cover hole if you can. If you hear roughness or a growling noise, replace both while you are there. Obviously you eliminated your other accessories as the source. Its difficult to diag blindly and def. I would also listen to the lower cam belt drive bearings as well. Touch the blade to the gear cover closest to the pulleys. Let us know what you found. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 787
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 04, 2002 - 1:34 pm: | |
I took off the alternator, waterpump belt and the chirp is still present. I put a wooden dowel on both tensioner bearings but didn't hear the chirp/squeal on either but one did make more of a ruckus than the other. I am not sure if it was just the way the dowel was positioned or if the bearing is not performing properly. Paul it appears that both are moving ok and not binding in anyway. I removed the one cover and watched the rear belt and bearing and I watched the front bearing through the hole in the cover. Thanks for the help. Let me know if there is anything to check. |
Peter B. (Gts308qv)
Junior Member
Username: Gts308qv
Post Number: 210
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 10:05 pm: | |
WATERPUMP ! Have you checked the waterpump yet? Pull the belt off and run the engine without the waterpump and see if the noise disappears or not ! Just a suggestion! |
Paul Newman (Newman)
Member
Username: Newman
Post Number: 300
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 8:33 pm: | |
The front tensioner is mounted under the intake cam and the rear tensioner is mounted under the exhaust cam. The front one is tough to see with the deck lid on but if you squeeze in there, you can find it with a flash light. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 785
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 7:39 pm: | |
Thanks for the info Ed and Craig. I will check it out. What does the timing case bearings sound like? The ones behind the bottom cam belt pulley? |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 412
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 6:41 pm: | |
Forgot to mention..... Mine chirped for a while too. |
Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member
Username: Irfgt
Post Number: 1710
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 6:15 pm: | |
It almost has to be from the timing belt system. I would take the covers off and do some exploration. If an idler/tensioner bearing is seizing up it will make that type of sound. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 784
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 6:01 pm: | |
Here is what I found out today. I removed the compressor and alternator belt and the squeal was still there. It sounds like an old belt type squeal but I don't think it is a belt. It goes with the rpm as well. When accelerating it isn't as noticeable but I can really hear it when I let off on the gas or when I turn the car off. At idle it squeals and as I said under load it squeals. It almost has a chirping sound to it. I know that may not help but I am trying to describe the sound the best I can. Any info would be appreciated. |
Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member
Username: Craigfl
Post Number: 411
Registered: 1-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2002 - 5:08 pm: | |
When my tensioner bearing was going bad it was making a squeal -- or you could call it a "whistle". This was before the seals and retainers disintegrated. When they did finally disintegrate, I had a rattling noise. |
Paul Newman (Newman)
Member
Username: Newman
Post Number: 299
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 9:05 pm: | |
Richelson, verify your cam belt tensioners are spinning. They sieze and the cam belt slides over them causing a squeel. The front one is tough to see but make sure they both spin when the engine runs. Just a thought, Im paranoid about those dam cam belts and tensioners. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 779
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 7:37 pm: | |
The sound seems to get louder at lower rpms. Around the idle area is where it is loud. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 778
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 7:21 pm: | |
Thanks for the info Bill and Lawrence. I am glad to hear it isn't that. It must be a belt. I am going to remove the compressor belt and listen. It is goes away then that is the problem. I may try leaving both the comp. and the alternator belt off and see too. |
Bill Steele (Glassman)
Junior Member
Username: Glassman
Post Number: 61
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 7:10 pm: | |
Richelson,
I know what a tensioner bering sounds like when both of them are shot. At warm up it sounds like the cams are very noisy. Then when it goes to idle the noise will go away. Probably because the bearings get hot. But it is definitely not a squeal! |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Junior Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 134
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 5:31 pm: | |
Take the compressor belt off and try it. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 775
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 2:06 pm: | |
I don't have one. I could use one. I may go and pick up one. I checked the sound again and I tried to use a wooden dowel and held it to my ear and moved it around. I am thinking the sound is on the crankshaft pulley caused by the compressor belt. The belt is aligned properly too so I am not sure why the sound is there. |
Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Junior Member
Username: Lawrence
Post Number: 133
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 1:53 pm: | |
Do you have a mechanics stethoscope? They are very handy for isolating noises. They come with a probe so you don't get your fingers near moving parts. |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 774
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 02, 2002 - 1:21 pm: | |
I hear a slight squeal on my 308. It isn't noticeable when the engine is around 1500 rpm but around 400-700 it is. Fairly loud. I installed new belts on the car months back and didn't have any kind of noise. I disconnected the alternator belt and still had the squeal. What does a tensioner bearing sound like if it is starting to go. What about timing case bearing. |