308 Noise after rebuild

If the mechanic and the owner are saying it's that simple I would simply ask them to fix it. Just saying.

 

Such a beautiful and clean engine with an internal screeching noise only lacks a big, thick glass pane on top, what would make a nice, perfect coffee table.
Without kidding. What do you expect from us? At least a sound file would be helpful. But even with that it all remains speculation.
One of the worst cases, which just come to my mind based on your description is a camshaft bearing. Noise could disappear with higher oil pressure.
What do you others think?

Best Regards
Martin

 

IMO it could be the climatecompressor clutch bearing. Sounds like screaming. Costs about 1k USD to fit (only 100 USD of parts).

OK, wish him a nice day.

 

Oh, now that I see the pics, I get it...get me a closeup of the third gold bolt on the right. There's your problem! The schezoid isn't lined up with the frappinator...easy fix!

 

One more point you can add to the exclusions of 'car being otherwise excellent'
And what just jumps into my eye on that picture without heads. Is this state-of-the-art lifting the block on the head studs??

Best
Martin

 

How about an old fashioned stethoscope approach to determine where the noise is coming from and an oil analysis?

 

You gotta assume the worst and if the seller won't let you rule that out then it's time to walk. My guess is they reused one of the inner cam or tensioner bearings and when a new tighter cam belt was used it revealed the weakness of this internal and expensive to replace bearing. Just because it goes away at higher RPMs doesn't mean it's ok, just means it's giving up the ghost and luckily it's giving warning. Certainly could be water pump or alternator related too but c'mon this is no time to take a chance.

 

The seller is blowing smoke in your face, so to speak. The 308 will do the same, only literally, once you own it. No properly rebuilt/maintained engine makes noises like that. No serious seller sells a car as "rebuilt" with these kind of noises. The only "fair" price is the value of a similar car, minus the cost of a full/no cost excluded engine rebuild. Given the attitude of the seller, I'd even pass on that.

 

THAT is scary!
Peter

 

Please repost the pic's. Thanks.

 

I have a good 308 you can buy

 

Possible it is the aircon belt being not perfectly aligned on its pulleys.
This makes a horrible sound caused by the belt slipping back and up.
To elimimate this just spray some WD-40 from above onto the belt.
The sound should disappear. I did this with my 328.

Check also the appearance of the cam belts. Take a flashlight and give them a look.
Standing behind the car, lean over and peak around the aircleaner to look at the belt.
Walk over and check the second belt, standing by the fuel filler opening.
Just to be sure nothing is tearing apart.

No oil leaks at the passenger side?

The waterpump impeller inside the cooling gallery can also make a hell of a noice when touching the metal. Shaft worn. Check by removal of the belt.

 

My guess is that it is a/c belt/bearing related. Try to pin it down with belt dressing and stethoscope. If you can't, ask for a big discount and walk if he isn't helpful. Good luck!

 

I think you answered your own question by posting. If you are concerned about the noise, which you are, then have it diagnosed and agree on a cost reduction for the repairs. If the sellers balks then you have no way of knowing if the price of the car is fair.

You could easily be into a repair of more than $6,000+ if you have a cam bearing issue.

I would also look at the reputation of the mechanic. How many 308 engines has he/she rebuilt?

Were the cams and crank strait bored when it was rebuilt? Did they install the heads before strait boring? Did they use new gaskets when they did the final install? The devil is in the details as they say.