97 855 after timing belt job: tat-tatatata noise RESOLVED

S373N · Post by **S373N** » 13 Mar 2014, 14:33

Thanks for the insight guys. I get so paranoid when repairing things like timing on a car that when I first started it and heard that noise I automatically suspected the worst... Luckily that was not the case...

I checked all of the pulleys and rollers last night when the belt was off and all spin nice and freely. The tensioner has no play and is quite firm - I can't budge it without my special tool and a wrench on it. Even the idler roller spins freely and has no play which is why I am thinking it's the bolt... I didn't use it to get leverage however noticed it is bending in a particular direction which suggests it's been the constant tension from the belt that has slowly pulled it up. If it is the bolt I was thinking that replacing it with a Grade 8 unit (I work in an automotive stamping shop). I can have a Tool & Die maker machine it to the exact dimensions needed and figured the stronger steel would hold up better than the softer material used in the factory application.... Any thoughts?

Post by **scot850** » 13 Mar 2014, 17:06

If you have the access to manufacture then go for it. Don't know how much a new one would be, but worth checking to see if it is worth the hassle to make. If you get a lot of satisfaction doing that kind of stuff well, go for it.

Neil.

S373N · Post by **S373N** » 13 Mar 2014, 17:41

Well, a little pre-dinner fooling around in the garage and I've discovered the problem. The roller is definitely out of alignment with the rest but the roller and bearing are good. Bolt that retains them is good. What could it be? Well of course, it is the power steering pump bracket.

Doing the alternator was the whole reason I was in there to begin with and I figured I'd do the timing while I was at it - just to be safe... Apparently when I replaced the alternator and PS pump I didn't get everything lined up just right. Time to loosen those four bolts, straighten the assembly out, and try again....

I hope at least one person learns from my trivial yet time consuming errors! This is however exactly why I love working on my own cars... The satisfaction of figuring it out...

Post by **scot850** » 13 Mar 2014, 23:03

If it settles down and runs good, you can pat yourself on the back. I always say you learn more when stuff goes wrong than when they go easy! When you do a big job like this, it can be frustrating but often satisfying to overcome.

That's why there are crazy folks like us here to help when we can.

Good Luck!

Neil.

Post by **jblackburn** » 14 Mar 2014, 09:10

Sound like this?

It'll go away after it runs for a bit. The lifters lose oil pressure when you crank it over by hand.

Post by **misha** » 15 Mar 2014, 09:16

jblackburn wrote:Sound like this?It'll go away after it runs for a bit. The lifters lose oil pressure when you crank it over by hand.

I guess you missed this post:

S373N wrote:Well, a little pre-dinner fooling around in the garage and I've discovered the problem. The roller is definitely out of alignment with the rest but the roller and bearing are good. Bolt that retains them is good. What could it be? Well of course, it is the power steering pump bracket.

Doing the alternator was the whole reason I was in there to begin with and I figured I'd do the timing while I was at it - just to be safe... Apparently when I replaced the alternator and PS pump I didn't get everything lined up just right. Time to loosen those four bolts, straighten the assembly out, and try again....

I hope at least one person learns from my trivial yet time consuming errors! This is however exactly why I love working on my own cars... The satisfaction of figuring it out...

S373N · Post by **S373N** » 16 Mar 2014, 17:39

Got everything straightened out and she's running just fine. Dashboard is no longer lit up like a festive tree and purrs like a kitten. Speaking of purring.... It is making a slight tapping noise from the head area but assume this is just the valves doing their thing and that I hadn't noticed it prior as I haven't spent much time idling the car inside a small garage with the hood open.......?

I know my next project is the PCV system as it is obviously clogged. Any links or advice on how I can clear it up in a pinch to get me through a few paycheques before doing the full PCV overhaul?

Thanks again for all the help on doing the TB/alt.... Despite the snags it was fun to do and now feeling satisfied with a (so far) job well done!

Post by **matthew1** » 16 Mar 2014, 17:47

Tapping = injectors. They're simply loud.

PCV: start a new topic titled something like "PCV: what can I do pre-full overhaul?"

When you get to the PCV job, Justin's fine PCV writeup is the gold standard.

S373N · Post by **S373N** » 17 Mar 2014, 06:43

Thanks Matt....

97 855 after timing belt job: tat-tatatata noise RESOLVED

Re: 97 855 Uh-oh....