97 855R Pictures and videos of timing belt issues and more

[koffinb]

I have a couple pictures and videos of problems on my R that I would like some help with. The first is a strange noise coming from what seems to be the timing belt area. So I decided to take off the timing belt cover and take a closer listen. Can anyone diagnose the sound for me here?



The second thing I randomly found were these 2 unplugged connectors/harnesses by each headlight under the hood. I wasn't sure what they were for and I know the headlights on the car aren't aftermarket so I was pretty confused and just left them alone.






This last video here is a check of my timing belt condition. I was trying to check for any play or looseness, couldn't find any dry cracking either.




According to service records timing belt and tensioner were both replaced at 127k. The car now has 145k miles on it. So I am not sure what to make of that.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[rspi]

In your first photo, it appears that there is a female plug about 2 inches from the male in your hand. Does the car have fog lights? Does the car have head light wipers?

As for the timing belt are noise, you should take the serpentine belt off and start the car to see if the noise goes away. Besides that, the timing belt area has 4 parts that can be changed:
1. Belt
2. Idler
3. Tensioner roller
4. Tensioner
5. Water pump.
Make that 5 parts. If all of them were not changed, the old parts can be going bad.

[Ben850]

Do you know the last timing belt replacement date? Was the tensioning pulley dampener changed?

I may have seen some oil on the white plastic clip on the tensioner which may indicate a leak.

The tensioner on my '93 was bad, with a leak. I realized it made noise until warm up. After my timing belt change, tensioner and pulleys, the noise is gone.

leaky tensioner. The plastic piece may be saving your engine at this point.

I am thinking the wipers are unplugged as far as the photos.

EDIT: I was typing while Robert responded. Quick.

[koffinb]

Do you know the last timing belt replacement date? Was the tensioning pulley dampener changed?

I may have seen some oil on the white plastic clip on the tensioner which may indicate a leak.

The tensioner on my '93 was bad, with a leak. I realized it made noise until warm up. After my timing belt change, tensioner and pulleys, the noise is gone.

IMG_1771.JPG

I am thinking the wipers are unplugged as far as the photos.

EDIT: I was typing while Robert responded. Quick.

Timing bet and tensioner were both replaced in August of 2011. I don't see any oil anywhere. And thanks, you were right it was the wipers that were unplugged.

[koffinb]

In your first photo, it appears that there is a female plug about 2 inches from the male in your hand. Does the car have fog lights? Does the car have head light wipers?

As for the timing belt are noise, you should take the serpentine belt off and start the car to see if the noise goes away. Besides that, the timing belt area has 4 parts that can be changed:
1. Belt
2. Idler
3. Tensioner roller
4. Tensioner
5. Water pump.
Make that 5 parts. If all of them were not changed, the old parts can be going bad.

Do you think that sound is something to worry about or can I put it off for a few months?

[rmmagow]

Did you try using a piece of hose to narrow down where the sound is coming from? If it isn't the serpentine belt and driven devices then it might be one of the rollers associated with the timing belt/WP. I personally would feel better if I knew for sure what was making the noise because if there's a dry bearing in the timing belt path, a seizure could be pretty catastrophic.

[rspi]

If the noise is coming from the timing belt path, it needs to be dealt with today.

[scot850]

Can you pull the serpentine belt to eliminate the power steering pump, the alternator, the A/C compressor, the serp. belt tensioner and the idler pulley.

If the noise is there then it narrows it down to something in the timing belt run. My opinion is it may be the idler pulley or the water pump bearing. Doesn't matter which from a safety respect, follow rspi's advice and don't run. If any of the bearings fail, your engine is toast!

Neil.