Engine noise, front end, see video

[marko]

This nasty little noise just started and I don't know what it is, but it sounds serious. Don't want to drive the car til I find out what it is. I'm talking about the groan/whine. Pitch gets higher with higher rpms.
Power steering belt removed. It's not the balance belt adjustment roller. Looking from the front of the car, it seems to be coming from the lower left quadrant of the engine. Could also be the lower middle section. S2 engine.
I'd like ya'lls opinions before I start tearing it apart.
Here's the noise
https://youtu.be/2yCD4bwrVhg

[Bradical]

It sounds like the balance belt idler pulley to me. You can run the car without the balance belt on it to check, it wont hurt your mounts it being off for that amount of time.

[marko]

Not the idler pulley. I can spin it without any noise. It still spins freely after the engine shuts off as it is not touching the balance belt. Taking the balance belt off is a good idea to rule out anything associated with it. Prolly do that tomorrow night.

[djnolan]

Try isolating the noise with an automotive stethoscope.

[jeffrsmith]

Originally Posted by djnolan

Try isolating the noise with an automotive stethoscope.

+1 - An automotive stethoscope is a relatively cheap tool, every toolbox should have one.

[theer]

Check the alternator belt. We had a similar noise on our '86 NA a/c delete.. turned out it was the wrong belt (too skinny). Especially under load - like when the cooling fans kicked on. New belt, correct tension, no more noise.

[devin3200]

Hey Marko, The noise your car is make is similar to the noise my 87 na was making. I had to one loosing the tension on the balance belt and replace the pulley bearing on the a/c unit. You can take the belt of the a/c , for a temporary test. ( to see is the noise goes away). But i would start at the balance belt tension first to see if the noise goes away. Or at least calms down some. Good luck.

[marko]

Power steering belt off, a/c belt off, balance belt off, noise is still there. With all that stuff off, it's harder to tell where the noise is coming from. I suppose it's time to get a stethescope as suggested and/or take off the timing belt and have a look see.
Ironically, it seems the engine runs smoother with the balance belt off. The lower balance shaft is very stiff. It takes some effort to turn the gear. I'll do some searching on that.

[fiily]

Originally Posted by marko

Power steering belt off, a/c belt off, balance belt off, noise is still there. With all that stuff off, it's harder to tell where the noise is coming from. I suppose it's time to get a stethescope as suggested and/or take off the timing belt and have a look see.
Ironically, it seems the engine runs smoother with the balance belt off. The lower balance shaft is very stiff. It takes some effort to turn the gear. I'll do some searching on that.

Since your 1/2 way there, check your lower balance shaft race to see why your binding/tough to turn over the lower bs sprocket, it should turn with hardly any effort.

Your timing belt pulley might be going bad? What year 87+?

[fiily]

Nothing else there, unless your wp pulley is going bad and the bearings are failing.

[marko]

Timing belt tensioner roller kaput.
https://youtu.be/xAIveuV7gt8

[fiily]

Originally Posted by marko

Timing belt tensioner roller kaput.
https://youtu.be/xAIveuV7gt8

Nice find, easy fix and you're back in business.

[marko]

Well, the tensioner roller was bad, but replacing it didn't fix the noise.
It was the timing belt idler roller. Took it off, ran the car and the noise is gone.
Will start another thread on my balance shaft fiasco.

[marko]

Well, that was premature, seems it was just a coincidence that the noise went away after removing that roller. Didn't notice it at first, but there is no oil pressure on a cold startup for about 6 seconds or so. Noise only goes away when car is warm, then shut off, then started back up again. Starting a new thread on that.

[mytrplseven]

Hey Mark, did you turn the water pump drive by hand to see if the front sprocket is going? They sometimes make noise before they start to leak.

BTW, I love my seats. Putting "Casper" back together.

[marko]

Hey Ralph,
Glad you love the seats, I aim to please.
Didn't try the water pump, problem is with the oil pressure somewhere. See my latest post, I have more details there.

[mytrplseven]

What's the header for the listing?

[marko]

No oil pressure on cold start

[fiily]

Make sure your crank bolt is tightened to 155ft ft lbs, sounds like it loose and causing the no oil pressure, or your timing belt is loose and is not turning over your crank 1/2 the time.