Car is a stock '98 SVT.
I'm getting a loud grinding noise in the rear valve cover and the back side of the timing cover. I'm tracing the noise using the screwdriver stethoscope method and it is most concentrated under the valve cover on the sprocket of the intake cam, it's also very audible when I press the screwdriver to the idler pulley retaining bolt. At first I thought it was the pulley, so I replaced it. While the pulley was coincidentally bad, replacing it did not fix the noise. Next I wanted to eliminate the rest of the pulley system so I removed the belt and ran the engine for about 30 seconds. Noise didn't go away. The noise stops the second I apply throttle. Engine still runs/idles smooth.
Thoughts?
~Mike~
I'm getting a loud grinding noise in the rear valve cover and the back side of the timing cover. I'm tracing the noise using the screwdriver stethoscope method and it is most concentrated under the valve cover on the sprocket of the intake cam, it's also very audible when I press the screwdriver to the idler pulley retaining bolt. At first I thought it was the pulley, so I replaced it. While the pulley was coincidentally bad, replacing it did not fix the noise. Next I wanted to eliminate the rest of the pulley system so I removed the belt and ran the engine for about 30 seconds. Noise didn't go away. The noise stops the second I apply throttle. Engine still runs/idles smooth.
Thoughts?
~Mike~