Scratchy bearing noise from the front of the engine
 

Hi guys,
I have been getting some scratching/ grinding noise form the front of the engine. Its not permanent but its there most of the time. It definitely is "rotational" noise as I increase the revs the noise also goes with a different tone. It feels like bad bearing grinding or something. After some basic looking around I feel that the noise is coming from the front around the timing belts. Could it be possible that the bearing of the water pump could be making that noise, or indeed any bearing of the belt pulleys and gears?

I dont think my water pump has broken because my engine temperatures are normal, oil pressure is around 4 bar.

i would love to hear if anyone has also experienced this and what their solution was, or if no one has had experience with this what comes to your mind. I am currently not driving it just incase it leads to a bigger problem with the timing belts or water pump. This is my first majorish ish problem on my car and im feeling quite upset, probably because I love the car so much. Still upsetting even though I knew this is part and parcel of having an old 944.

Looking forward to your replies and thanks a lot

Regards,
Sanchit

There are a bunch of rollers under the belt covers that should be replaced every other belt change and you should also do the seals (foes) at the same time. It’s likely one of those that’s making your noise.

It could also be a shredding balance belt or even timing belt. Park the car until you can see what's going on under the belt cover. A balance belt coming apart can foul the timing belt and wipe out the top end.

Since you're going to be in there replacing the belts and rollers you might as well do the water pump as well. WYIT.

Water pump or timing belt get my vote.