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2.5L timing belt noise?

9

96SEBlack

CEG'er
Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Messages
55
Location
KS
96 Contour 2.5L 5-speed manual with 207K
It started making a whirring noise from the serpentine belt side and really noisy when you are next to a building like a drive-thru. So I sucked out the power steering reservoir a couple times and replaced with new fluid...no change. I had the local station put on my new Motorcraft serpentine belt and see where the noise was coming from. They thought it was the power steering pump. So I sucked out the fluid again and put in a bottle of Lucas power steering conditioner...no change.

No change in noise when turning the wheel and it's most noticeable at idle and low rpms. It seems to be coming from the passenger firewall side under the valve cover. Could this be the timing belt/tensioners? Help me pinpoint the source.

(Also CEL codes P0171, P0174 and P0306. The P0306 (misfire cyl #6) might go away since I recently moved the car off the street and probably didn't let it warm up enough before turning it off. I've found if you do this you have to mash the gas pedal and crank to get it started again and the CEL will flash on/off for a misfire.)

Thanks for your help!
 
holding the gas pedal to the floor and starting turns the fuel injectors off. I really don't think a miss fire is related to this. it also shouldn't cause the cel to flash like a misfire. sounds like some maintinence is needed here.

also the duratec has a timing chain. now its possible that the guides are worn and making noise.

it also seems like you need some intake gaskets or to clean the maf to clear the two lean codes. check for vacuum leaks too.
 
holding the gas pedal to the floor and starting turns the fuel injectors off
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Exactly, it acts like it's flooded so I have to do this to get it started again. It's always done it, but only if I start it, move it, turn it off quickly and let it set. Anyway I'm not worried about that right now.

also the duratec has a timing chain. now its possible that the guides are worn and making noise
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Thanks I learned something new...I must have been reading someone's zetec thread after a quick search for "timing belt". How difficult is it to check for worn timing chain guides?

As far as maintenance, recently I've changed fuel filter, air filter, replaced both upstream and downstream O2 sensors, ECT sensor, DPFE sensor, cleaned the MAF, replaced a few suspect vacuum hoses and done oil/filter changes. This got rid of most of my codes at the time and helped the mpg, now at 26.5, which I think is pretty good. Have not done the UIM or LIM gaskets and it's probably due for plugs and wires. I also need to look closer for vacuum leaks. I've read a lot of people use carb cleaner or starting fluid to check for leaks at idle. Is this the recommended diy method or is there a better way?

The noise is hard to explain, higher pitched kind of like a sewing machine. Some cars make a similar sound in reverse like it's winding up. Mine sounds like this whether it's in neutral or in gear and changes with rpm, but not noticeable at highway speed. Thanks for any input!
 
96SEBlack said:
Thanks I learned something new...I must have been reading someone's zetec thread after a quick search for "timing belt". How difficult is it to check for worn timing chain guides?
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not easy. you have to pull the intake, valves covers and the front cover to get into the chains.
 
BrApple said:
holding the gas pedal to the floor and starting turns the fuel injectors off. I really don't think a miss fire is related to this. it also shouldn't cause the cel to flash like a misfire. sounds like some maintinence is needed here.

also the duratec has a timing chain. now its possible that the guides are worn and making noise.

it also seems like you need some intake gaskets or to clean the maf to clear the two lean codes. check for vacuum leaks too.
Click to expand...

could also be a weak tensioner for the chains or one that isn't pumping up, had this happen if you remember what a pia that was. 96SEBlack if you have a weak tensioner the chain is going to have some slack in it and it's going to get noisy and may even make slight contact with the cover. The chains on these motors are very durable but the tensioners seem to be the wear items on some motors. doubt its power steering related, find a better mechanic and put the right fluid back in. I also agree with Brian on vacuum leaks, after all that work you could have missed something or something isn't right. these motors are hard to use the carb cleaner method for certain areas but you look for idle change when you hit the suspect spot. a vacuum gauge will also work. Is it hard to start after sitting for long peroids of time? might have fuel bleed back to the tank, weak fuel pump could be problem.
 
Try running the engine for a very short time with the serpentine belt off. One of the pulleys could be shot, making a bad whining sound. While the belt is off, see if the pulleys are easy to turn by hand. If they bind they are likely bad.
 
zorrex said:
Try running the engine for a very short time with the serpentine belt off. One of the pulleys could be shot, making a bad whining sound. While the belt is off, see if the pulleys are easy to turn by hand. If they bind they are likely bad.
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I just fixed a similar problem on my VR4. the idler pulley for the Alt/AC belt had a bad bearing and it wobbled really bad (I discovered it during the 60K maintanence). there was also this really bad whine, like a supercharger, all the time. replaced the pulley (bloody expensive at $100 for just a damn pulley but it is a dealer only part), and now it no longer makes any noise at all.
 
Is it hard to start after sitting for long peroids of time?
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No it normally starts right up no problem even after sitting.
Try running the engine for a very short time with the serpentine belt off
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That's exactly what I'm going to do next. If the noise goes away then i know it's not in the engine, but one of the accessories. I was hoping the shop would do this when putting on the new belt and maybe they did, but couldn't pinpoint it. Anyway I'm going to have a look see for myself.
really bad whine, like a supercharger, all the time
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Yeah, that's what it sounds like! I'll look close at that idler pulley.

Thanks, I'll let you know what I find.
 
My 2nd alternator made that "supercharger" noise too! I didn't have charging issues so I left it in and it made noise for years. Now that you mention it, I kinda miss it :cry:. People would ask me if I had a SC or Turbo all the time.
 
I have a gatorback belt that makes a slight supercharger noise too!!!
 
blu_fuz said:
My 2nd alternator made that "supercharger" noise too! I didn't have charging issues so I left it in and it made noise for years.
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Same here; my alternator throws a fit, all the time. I'd wager that's the source of this sound as well.
 
My alternator cratered about 120k miles - made a moaning and whine sound before it died. Lots of low lying water around here. My Escape is a bit higher so I hope it lasts longer.
 
Sorry to revive this old thread/hijack it, but I have a similar problem, except looking at the belt, it seems its the crank pulley thats wobbling. How hard is this to replace? Can you get at it enough to replace without having to remove too much stuff?
I've been looking for a how to for the dmd but can't find one to see whats involved. I happen to have a stock pulley laying around that has probably 100k miles on it. Is it unusual for these to go bad or should I get a new one? I know the bolt is tty.
 
Wow! I'm the OP and can't believe it's been a year and 7K later since I posted this. I've done nothing but drive it since then, haven't even removed the serpentine belt...procrastination at it's best. Anyway, this is bugging me again and I'm going to try this weekend or next to find the source of this high pitched whining noise and will post when I find the fix. No gatorback belt or CEL here. Any other ideas on what to look for while I'm in there?
 
Get about 3 feet of 5/8" or 3/4" i.d. heater hose and use it like a stethoscope (one end at your ear, the other end to hunt around the engine compartment to find the noise). This method often works better than the long screwdriver stethoscope method at tracking down engine compartment noises.
 
It's definitely the alternator as a few suggested above and maybe the idler pulley. I took the belt off, started it and the noise went away so that ruled out the chain tensioners. The power steering, ac and tensioner pulleys were all smooth and quiet when turning by hand. The alternator pulley made a lot of noise and I'm certain that's where it's coming from. The idler pulley made a little noise but that may be normal, I don't know. Anyway off to find and alternator and I'll post back if that fixes it. Thanks for your help!
 
Hi. I just had a shop replace the alternator and idler pulley in my 1995 Contour SE and am getting what sounds like a smiliar whine - a very high-pitched sound that happens at idle and under load and is related to rpm's. Any update on whether the new alternator fixed the noise would be much appreciated! We may do some checking this weekend; the mechanic went for a follow-up test drive with me but recommended a wait and see approach. He heard the noise once, but I hear it alot and it's driving me nuts.
 
blu_fuz said:
My 2nd alternator made that "supercharger" noise too! I didn't have charging issues so I left it in and it made noise for years. Now that you mention it, I kinda miss it :cry:. People would ask me if I had a SC or Turbo all the time.
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I get this a lot also :cool:
 
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