Strange noise from the engine

echo63 · 05-16-2002, 12:08 PM

I have an 83 944 NA with 82k miles on it. Recently, the car developed this strange noise in the engine similar to the sound you would hear from an old VW bug engine. I have tried to isolate the sound with out much luck, mainly because the noise only comes on while freeway driving. Below are my findings.

1) Cold starting is fine, no noise detected
2) Local driving on stop-n-go traffic also can not detect any unusual noise
3) After about 5 miles of freeway driving at 60 plus, the noise comes on and stays on
4) The noise frequency does increase with increase in engine RPM
5) Once the noise comes on, if I put the engine on neutral the noise frequency and level decrease, although at a stand-still in neutral I can still hear this chain-ticking, bearing-grinding-like noise coming from the engine (imagine a VW bug engine sound) that would again increase in frequency if I step on the gas pedal
6) After getting off the freeway and driving in a local traffic the noise slowly diminishes and disappears

I plan to take the car to see a mechanic next week, but if anyone had similar problem in the past and could shed some light into where the problem might lie I would be grateful for your feedback.

Thanks for all your help.

AFJuvat · 05-16-2002, 12:42 PM

It sounds like one of your belt rollers is on its way out. That is usually the source for strange squeals coming form the engine.

I would suggest not driving it much until you can have it looked at - siezed roller will break a belt.

AFJuvat

echo63 · 05-16-2002, 04:10 PM

Thanks AFJuvat for your timely response.

Now, if it is indeed belt rollers, any idea how much it would cost to fix it? I guess I should also replace the belts? What exactly is the function of belt rollers, and just out of curiosity, are there any bearings involved in belt rollers (I'm asking because the noise can also be interpreted as bearings grinding against something???) Apologies for my ignorance, but I'm not very mechanically oriented, and would need an idiot's guide.

Agains, thanks for all your help.

echo63 · 05-17-2002, 08:14 AM

Hey guys, help me out here. Any ideas on what the culprit of my problem may be other than AFJuvat's belt roller diagnosis? I'm taking the car in to a mechanic next week, and I would like to give him a few area to look into so that we can minimize the billable hours he will spend looking for the trouble spot.

Also, if belt rollers are the culprits, is it a big job? Any idea what I'm looking at in terms of cost? Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Echo63

AFJuvat · 10:02 AM

Belt rollers normally run anywhere from $30 - $50 each. Getting a belt job will run in the neighborhood of $300 plus the cost of rollers.

Since replacing the roller will require the removal of the belts, you may as well replace them if you can - the labor is pretty much the same and the only additional cost is the belts. - Unless of course, the belts are fairly new.

Another possibility, although unlikely given the symptoms you describe, is the water pump.

If you have any other questions, ask them here or drop me an email

AFJuvat