Noise getting louder

[Rox]

Ive had this noise coming from the front of the engine compartment. It sounds like a blade is bent or missing from the fan.
I re-routed the serp belt away from the air compressor but that was not it.
Today the flapping knocking sound is louder so I stopped the fan from turning the noise is still there. When I accelerate the noise quiets a bit but you can still hear it. Maybe the water pump or ???????
When I put my hand on the manifold I can feel the noise.

Help Thanks

[Cobrajet]

You can eliminate the water pump, alternator, A/C compressor, belt, tensioner and idler by temporarily removing the belt. My tensioner pulley went bad and was making a heck of a noise. If you still have the same noise, then it's internal, and you have bigger problems.

[Rox]

Thanks for the info. I did it and it looks like I have bigger problems. With the belt off the sound seems to be coming from the top end. Any other ideas????

[SilverBullet75]

The easier of the bigger problems, and most common, is the timing belt tensioner. The description you gave is a perfect match.

[Rox]

Thanks- I'll check into it.

[SilverBullet75]

I've personally had experience with two of the three "bad" engine issues. They both have distinctly different sounds when running.

Click on the links below and determine which one yours sounds like most.
Hope this helps.

1. Timing Belt Tensioner (frequency of clacks is higher than rod knock)
2. Rod Knock

3. Cylinder Head issues (not sure on this one... hope not to find out either)


I just read something on Youtube that makes perfect sense and is worth sharing:

"Joseph Murphy 1 year ago
The best way to trace engine noises is to see if the sound is in time with the crankshaft or the camshaft. The camshaft is twice as fast as the crank. If it's timed to the crank pull the motor."


JIM

[jasonm621]

My vote is with the timing belt tensioner. It would make sense that the noise is more noticeable at idle since the engine isnt pulling on that belt as much. I can imagine that belt hitting the cover can make a noticeable thud! I certainly wouldnt drive it and only run the engine for diagnostics only. It only takes that belt to jump a tooth or two before your banging rods on these interfereance engines (if you havent already). Check out this video. Its not the same engine but you'll get an idea on whats going on underneath that timing belt cover. Just an fyi i dont think there is a way to take off one of the covers to check without ripping out the fan and pulleys. But i can tell you it will take you a day to replace the timing belt! Good luck! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iafCTng7X8

[SilverBullet75]

PERFECT VIDEO OF TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE!
Great post!

That's what my first VX had. Fairly easy to fix, just scary sounding.
This is the best case scenario of the three issues to have.

[jasonm621]

PERFECT VIDEO OF TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILURE!
Great post!

That's what my first VX had. Fairly easy to fix, just scary sounding.
This is the best case scenario of the three issues to have.

Thanks! I probably learn more than i should from youtube! If anyone is interested here is a time lapse of me doing my Vehicross' timing belt!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_nAX0OqWE

[tom4bren]

It only takes that belt to jump a tooth or two before your banging rods on these interfereance engines (if you havent already).

Good thing that we have a non-interference engine, huh???

(make sure you read that with a grin instead of a scowl ... it was meant to sound funny, not snotty)

[jasonm621]

Good thing that we have a non-interference engine, huh???

(make sure you read that with a grin instead of a scowl ... it was meant to sound funny, not snotty)

Good to know. For some reason i've always thought otherwise... either way if that belt jumps a cog or two the engine performance will be noticeably altered. I'm assuming that the computer would throw a DTC in that event...

[Rox]

Nice video you make it look so easy and fast...

I have one more symptom after i took off and put back on the serp belt the sound was gone for a while. And each sound you all have have giving me dont quite sound the same as mine. Mine is more like a muffled playing card in a tire spoke sound. Sometimes you cant hear it and other times it is quite loud. In any case she hasnt left my drive way

[tom4bren]

Good to know. For some reason i've always thought otherwise... ...

Yah, the discussion comes up every couple of years.

I've always been grateful that the Eclipse engine is non-interference as well (I've had the timing belt go wonky on 2 of them now ... & working on #3 with symptoms scarily similar to Rox). Now that timing belt is a ROYAL PITA to replace with my gorilly hands.

[jasonm621]

Nice video you make it look so easy and fast...

I have one more symptom after i took off and put back on the serp belt the sound was gone for a while. And each sound you all have have giving me dont quite sound the same as mine. Mine is more like a muffled playing card in a tire spoke sound. Sometimes you cant hear it and other times it is quite loud. In any case she hasnt left my drive way

Put your hand on the timing belt covers while its running. Be very careful of the fan! See if you can "feel" the sound there. Im thinking it may be timing belt slapping, idler bearing, or tensioner pulley behind that cover. Otherwise check all the bearings/pulleys that the serpentine belt touches. Make sure that all 4 nuts holding the fan on the pulley are on and torqued to spec. With the serpentine belt on those nuts will look snug since there is tension on the pulley that holds it. take the belt off and see if you can wobble the fan or pulley behind it AT ALL, if so then i can imagine that can make a floppy clappy noise as well... Keep us updated!

[Rox]

Im all over it. let you know