Strange noise from timing belt area when engine cold. It starts around 1 min. This was recorded when the ambient temp was around 65 F. When it's cold outside, the noise is really loud. I tried to pinpoint the noise with the statoscope, but I did not hear it close to any pulleys (including the crankshaft pulley). It almost sounds like coming from deep inside the engine. I will record it with temp around 45F in the future. Noise disappears after a few minutes, although it's replaced by another type of noise, the chirping type: check out this link: . I guess it's coming from the harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley area. It's not as loud, just a rhythmic chirping sound. Again I tried to pinpoint it with a stethoscope, and I could not pinpoint it to any particular pulley. Based on the phone recording, I would guess it's a crankshaft pulley. What do you think? The timing belt was changed in 8/2019 around 140 000 miles. Now it's around 162 000. I have a code P0442 which is Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (small leak) - it's been there for the last year or so... The noises are a recent thing...
Anyway, if anyone ever heard such a noise, please let me know...

 

Ok, this is just my two cents........it does not matter how new or old a belt or pulley is....when they decide to make noise, they will. Question: when the timing belt was changed, was just the belt changed, or was the water pump, tensioner, and all pulleys changed too. Also, was the serpentine accessory drive belt, tensioner, and all pulleys changed as well? When I do a timing belt change, I also change the water pump, all the belt tensioners and pulleys as well as the serpentine belt, tensioner, and all pulleys.

To troubleshoot, the first thing I would do is take off the serpentine accessory drive belt and start the engine. The battery light will come on and stay on as the alternator is not spinning, but it will be ok to run the engine for a few minutes. If the noise does not appear, then either your serpentine accessory drive belt is bad, the belt tensioner or pulley is bad, or one or the accessory units (A/C compressor, Alternator, power steering pump) is going bad. In short, taking the accessory drive belt off and running the motor will tell you if something in that system is bad or if you need to look elsewhere.

Try taking that belt off first and report back and we can go from there. As for the P0442 code, that is most likely the fuel filler cap seal leaking air, or one of the hoses going from the fuel tank to the charcoal cannister is leaking.....not a huge deal and would not cause your noise issue.

I'm leaning toward a bad pulley or a loose/slipping belt due to a weak tensioner......again, pulling the accessory drive belt and running the engine is a good start.

 

Hi,
The timing belt was changed in 8/2019 around 140 000 miles. Now it's around 162 000. Along with the belt all the pulleys and tensioners, water pump were changed. Belt and water pump are by Gates. The pulleys and tensioners are OE. On the movies you can notice that serpentine belt is off.

 

Apologies....I was so wrapped up in listening to the noise that I did not notice the serpentine belt was off.

Ok, that eliminates quite a few things. Here is an off the wall thought, there is a small metal cover that attaches under the crankshaft pulley that is removed to pull off the timing belt. It can be a real pain to put it back on. Check and see if it is rubbing on the belt a bit. Outside of that I can only suggest pulling off the timing belt and manually rotating the pulleys by hand to feel for any wobble, play, or roughness....Doubt it is the tensioner as they don't go bad very often.....plus you can check the tension on the belt by pushing on it to see how much it flexes (engine not running of course <grin>). Also check the water pump to see if the bearing is shot or not. Also before you remove the belt, check the timing marks just to make sure the belt didn't jump a tooth or two. Any more than two teeth and you would most likely have valve to piston contact.

 

Ok, surprise, surprise, 45F and no noise... or at least nothing exceptional...
I tried to remove the bottom timing belt bracket - 2x bolts 10mm. Managed to remove only one. It had red thread lock on it. Why would these bolts have a red thread lock? The second bolt would not budge. If anything, blue thread lock should be sufficient on it. Hopefully I won't need to remove this shield in the future... I used my endoscope camera to inspect the space, as far as I can tell, nothing in there. The bracket looks solid. The only thing I did was to spray a bit of WD40 on the bracket to help with bolts. I don't see how that could make a difference... Timing belt is clean, I made some picks of timing belt marks. I guess they look ok.

Not sure if this looks off, or good enough, or maybe I needed to move the crankshaft a bit more?

This is the top line up corresponding with the crankshaft on the other picture.
Is that acceptable?
Thanks

 

Not sure but it looks like it MAY be off one tooth. When that nearly impossible to see notch on the crankshaft gear is lined up with the pointer on the casting, then the marks on both camshafts should be nearly centered in the notches on the plastic shield. If it is running well and has been, then it is most likely ok where it is set. One tooth off, while not optimal, will usually allow the car to run without issue. Two or more teeth off and problems will arise. Again, like I said, it MAY be one tooth off, but it is hard to tell without actually looking at it in real life, and even then it is hard to tell because the marks are so small.

As for how to proceed, well, you can run it and see if the weird noise returns or if it starts running like garbage, or you can leave it alone and keep an eye on it. I have had to take everything apart after changing a timing belt as it was a tooth off, and while not too difficult, it is time consuming.

 

yep, these 2 notched teeth on the crankshaft are kind of on the edge. I would say that this marking system could be definitely improved, unless it has some tolerance built in to it... I will take a car for the spin today and will see what happens. If I will end up taking off the TB, I will get rid off current one by Gates. It's acting weird from the beginning. It is hanging on the edge of sprockets and travels sideways slightly. Unfortunately instead of doing TB job myself I outsourced it to the local shop in Atlanta and of course their policy is: You use our parts or else...
Thanks for you input!

 

Sorry I was not able to help more. If you do re-do the timing belt and need some guidance, I have a printed tutorial I have used for 4 timing belt changes over the years. It is for an 850, but same motor. I can get it scanned and send it to you. Good luck.

 

...sure, sounds good. Please scan it, maybe you can post it on the forum too? If not, I can message you my email address. Car drives so far, no problems. The most concerning sound, from the first video is gone. I tried to listen to it at 32F and nothing. Just usual, cranky old power steering pump etc. lol
Thanks

 

OK, I'll scan it tonight after work and post it. If I have issues with it posting I will let you know and I can e-mail it to you.

 

Ok, it is aattached as a .pdf file. Hope it helps

 

Thanks. So far car drives fine - I drove about 300 miles. It makes noises sometimes. No noise once the car is warm. We will see what the future will bring... I am about to do the entire suspension on it. If engine will fail, I will just replace it... Or maybe it will keep chugging along lol

 

this is how my s70 sounds like
near the belt areas. with a screw driver probe..it could be the steering pump or the compressor, not the alternator
is yours like this..and have your figure this ?
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0c10...5ZJv362v5HwJ7g

 

Nope. It went away. I don't drive much lately. But when it's warm outside, car runs great. In winter so, so lol I would also argue that your noise is slightly different too. Let me know once you figure it out. Good luck Dude!