S80 1999 Weird engine noise, really need help.

harrr0 · Post by **harrr0** » 18 May 2009, 12:57

I started having this problem yesterday when my car at around 1500~2000 RPM, started making noise. It only occurs when it's at 1500~2000, anything after that, the noise is gone. I've attached a video so you can hear what it sounds like. Please help me, thanks.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 18 May 2009, 14:57

The logical thing to do would be to take the timing belt cover off to check visually to see what is happening- almost sounds like the belt has walked outward a bit and is hitting the cover- would be well worth a check. Good luck with this and post pack.

harrr0 · Post by **harrr0** » 20 May 2009, 00:28

I don't think the belt is hitting anything. From inside the car, it's very noticeable. Could it be a possibility that the timing belt is going bad? I have 205K on it, and previous owner was my dad, whom never really cared for the car. When the car is idle, it ticks almost, but the RPM never surges.

Also, I'll upload another video tomorrow with sound from the inside.

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 20 May 2009, 08:29

harrr0 wrote:I don't think the belt is hitting anything. From inside the car, it's very noticeable. Could it be a possibility that the timing belt is going bad? I have 205K on it, and previous owner was my dad, whom never really cared for the car. When the car is idle, it ticks almost, but the RPM never surges.

Also, I'll upload another video tomorrow with sound from the inside.

Then my guess would be that you have a bearing going bad in one of the idlers or the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, or AC compressor. Are you losing any coolant?

Post by **JDS60R** » 20 May 2009, 09:53

Stop

I saw your video and it appears you are losing an idler pulley bearing on the cam belt. Also -I see no sticker on your cam cover from where the cam belt and components were changed at 80K miles.

If the belt slips off (and it will) you will have to replace the motor as it is cheaper than the damage the vavles hitting the pistons will cause. (not kidding)

Part of the process to change the cam timing belt is to remove the accerories belt. Remove the accesory belt and start the car. If the nois still persisits then it is definitley the cam belt and components.

If the nosie goes away completley then is is one of your accesories. Repalce the accesory (AC, power steering pump, alternator, belt tensioner pulley and bearing)

Otherwise replace the cam belt, every idler pulley, the tensioner and the water pump immediately.

Please don't be the 5000th person to think its ok and then come back to the forum with a blown motor. You have a golden opportunity here - Please take it.

PS - Its usually the right upper idler pulley on the cam belt that goes first (I'm guesing that is what is failing) but you should replace everything as it will all go bad with the tension of a new belt that you definitley need.

Good Luck,
John

P.P.S. - We charge about $2000 here for a low mileage used motor installed with new timing belt, pulleys,tensioners, pump, plugs, flame trap etc installed.

harrr0 · Post by **harrr0** » 24 May 2009, 14:26

JDS60R wrote:Stop

I saw your video and it appears you are losing an idler pulley bearing on the cam belt. Also -I see no sticker on your cam cover from where the cam belt and components were changed at 80K miles.

If the belt slips off (and it will) you will have to replace the motor as it is cheaper than the damage the vavles hitting the pistons will cause. (not kidding)

Part of the process to change the cam timing belt is to remove the accerories belt. Remove the accesory belt and start the car. If the nois still persisits then it is definitley the cam belt and components.

If the nosie goes away completley then is is one of your accesories. Repalce the accesory (AC, power steering pump, alternator, belt tensioner pulley and bearing)

Otherwise replace the cam belt, every idler pulley, the tensioner and the water pump immediately.

Please don't be the 5000th person to think its ok and then come back to the forum with a blown motor. You have a golden opportunity here - Please take it.

PS - Its usually the right upper idler pulley on the cam belt that goes first (I'm guesing that is what is failing) but you should replace everything as it will all go bad with the tension of a new belt that you definitley need.

Good Luck,
John

P.P.S. - We charge about $2000 here for a low mileage used motor installed with new timing belt, pulleys,tensioners, pump, plugs, flame trap etc installed.

Thanks for the response guys, well I found out what the noise was. I ran over to my uncle; who is a mechanic for Honda, but he does his own things with other cars as well, he checked my car out and said it was the A/C compressor going out. It's going to need a new clutch. He said he was going to find one for me, so I went home after that. Later that night, I decided to go out and get some food, on the way back, the noise got louder and it stayed, even after 2000 RPM. A few moments later I started smelling something weird and then the belt snaps. Luckily I was already in the neighborhood and I pulled off to the side of the street and checked the car out. It looked like the pulley from the power steering pump had been torn to shreds and the A/C unit seized up on me. So due to friction, the belt started to literally melt and chopped off some ribs on the power steering pulley. The sound was coming from the A/C unit. As for the idle noise, I think it's a bearing that needs to be replaced. Luckily, my dad ordered a whole box of bearings from our dealership a couple of years ago. But yeah, my car is dead right now and is parked outside of my uncle's shop.

And a little side note: My sister wants to join the Volvo family. She's got her eyes on a 850 Turbo, lol...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 24 May 2009, 19:12

Let's just hope it was the service belt (serpentine belt) and had no impact on the timing belt. At least your engine wouln't be toast in this case.