Wierd noise

[gricec]

have a weird noise coming from the timing cover area below the distributor.

Seems like it is coming from the water pump but am not sure. Could be a roller or something loose.

here is a video.

http://s1141.beta.photobucket.com/us...19-34.mp4.html.

There is no sign of leakage or overheating - i just have this sound.

[honerboys]

not sure what the noise is but i would advise you not to drive it until you check it out - anything wrong in that area is not good news - not that it's serious (or expensive) now but if anything happens to the belts well... you know the horror stories - just saying

[gricec]

Yeah am not driving today.

Its weird as there is no play in the waterpump.

I think I am going pull the belts off it tomorrow and start spinning stuff and see if i can figure it out.

One thing I noticed as well was the ignition rotor was slightly bent and there were some slight gouges out of the dizzy cap.

[TibetanT]

Would love to help, but your link doesn't work.

Also, post the year of the car so we know how to tell what needs attention.

Are there any records for this car? When was the last 30K maintenance done?

[gricec]

My bad,

video-2012-10-18-15-19-34.mp4 video by gricey3 - Photobucket

No history at all. I put the motor in about a year ago. Did the timing belt, balance belt at the time but not the water pump.

Water pump does not have the block of plate on it, so I assuming its pretty old. Fair chance its on its way out. Just Im cheap and if its a roller than Id rather just replace that.

[Gawernator]

I'm no expert but I would guess a roller. That sounds almost like a bearing but it isn't, so I imagine that's what a bad roller would sound like.

[TibetanT]

Are we talking about the scraping sound that I hear?

Could be one of many things IMHO. However, when doing a 30K maintenance there are many components that need to be changed. For example, there are seals on the balance shaft belts and O-rings, seals on the oil pump and O-ring on the sleeve, all rollers are changed out, camshaft seals and of course the water pump with it associated components and gasket.

What year car are we talking about here, late or early? Does it leak oil?

I would suggest a new water pump be purchased to eliminate that as suspect as well as its gasket especially if its age is unknown, since a failure will cause you more grief in dollars when the valves meet the head should the water pump seize while the engine is running.

Because the water pump doesn't have the Block-Off plate may not be an older pump, since places such as Zims Auto sells these pumps.

In any case, it appears that the water pump should come off so you can assess the condition by turning it manually to see if it is binding at all. Pump should turn freely with no restriction. One condition of a water pump going bad is leaks taking place near the hoses, or behind the pump near the gasket area. There will be sediment build-up, which is a tell-tale sign that things are not going well.

Now as far as pulleys are concerned, are the drive belts tightened to specification?
(Both crank and power steering if you have PS.)

Hope this helps and good luck.

[gricec]

car is a early 85 with a 86 short block.

I do have an oil leak from the upper balance shaft seal. its not too terrible though.

Drive belts are new and too specification. its definitely not Ps as I have removed that belt to troubleshoot.

There is no play in the waterpump, it is not leaking - i am losing no fluid. The car runs perfectly cool. Its just teh sound seems to be coming from there or there about.

[gricec]

Ok so I removed the balance belt today and all the accessories.

It seems like the timing belt is loose. I can turn the pump pretty easily with the belt on and also i can twist it almost 180 degrees. I can see it oscillating on the water pump and I think the belt is hitting the guard.

I did check it again after my initial tension, but maybe I didnt check hard enough.

Good thing is - the pump itself does not make any noise at all when I turn it manually and there is zero play so I dont think it is the pump.

[honerboys]

if your distributor rotor is gouging the cap make sure cap is installed correctly or it could be the camshaft is out of whack - this would cause the timing belt to alternately tighten and loosen as the engine turns - turn the engine one turn off tdc #1 and see if the belt tightens - make sure the cam pulley is true

[SolReaver]

I also had a small noise originating from around the water pump area under the timing shrouds. It sounded like a ticking, pinging, possibly ringing sort of sound. I too suspected WP but removed the shields to find the WP in good shape. hmmmm.


Turned out to be the loose cam belt slapping the water pump shield. Check your wp shield for if so equipped for "scuff marks" where a loose belt will hit it on the top side to the right.

Kudos for having enough sense to be afraid, very afraid when you hear the slightest strangeness from timing component area. The correct action it to pull the shields and inspect. Glad to hear your WP seems good, they are not cheap.

Time to do the belts. I am also doing mine currently. (that happens around here...people are always doing belts) quick tips. Use crank mark on flywheel after removing lower bell shield. The mark on the flywheel from below aligns with the side of the notch on the bell housing that is towards the driver. Peering down at the timing mark on the top with a flashlight while turning the crank is just dumb IMHO.

You don't have to remove crank pulley, snake the CB out and in around the pulley. I have a few write ups that might help. I will post later.

87 924S Water Pump + pics

WP and timing belts info, might be helpful