Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Ticking/dieslish sound

I have an odd sound while my car is idling (48k on it) it could be normal, but it's a sound like it's possibly coming from the belts, a slight ticking, almost diesely sound :rolleyes: Someone told me that he thought my timing was off (wasn't a very knowledgeable person though) I wish I could describe it better but it's very smooth and constant sort of sound, belt looks fine and is in great shape, but still I want a normal sounding engine, not this ticking! Thanks!

Which belt does it sound like it is coming from (serpentine or water pump)? Serpentine belt is on the right side (while sitting in the car) of engine and water pump belt is on left side.

I also have a ticking sound that seems to be coming from my serpentine belt (and I just replaced belt a few months ago). The ticking also seems to be synchronous w/ the motion of the belt. I know this because there is some white writing on the black belt and every time the writing passes a certain point (as the belt goes around), there is a tick. If the belt goes faster, then so does the ticking sound.

I haven't solved the problem yet. I plan on taking the belt off this weekend, and running the engine w/o the belt for a minute or so, to see if the sound goes away.

I believe that the ticking sound is related to another problem that I have (but this is still a theory), which is that the crankshaft pulley has a slight wobble. As the belt comes off of the crankshaft, it moves onto the tensioner. It seems that the belt is moving slightly on the tensioner and could be making a noise as it is moving to and fro.

Please let me know if the sound is coming from the serpentine belt. If it is, then check to see if your crankshaft pulley is wobbling.

Could just be that you are hearing the fuel injectors as they make a faint ticking sound.

Greetings,
I have a 99 mystique with 79k on it and about 2 days ago I began to have same problem with hearing that damn ticking sound....coming from the area of the belts. Will be checking for a wobble this afternoon. The belts are all still in new condition...but as each day passes the tick gets louder. Hopefully someone who has already encountered this and corrected it will have some ideas?
Regards,
Ted

sometimesulose:

Can you take a look at your crankshaft pulley and see if it is wobbling?

I understand exactly what you are describing. Just had the same exact thing in my vehicle last week. I orginally thought it was a pulley because I too had just changed my belt. Then I thought it was a timing/cam problem. Brought to Ford for them to check out, $450 later, they told me they don't what the deal is, and then I should replace the motor. I have 104,000 on it, but it is no where close to needing to be replaced. I had them stop working on it, and I began to look at it. Listened to it with a sethoscope and it was coming from the rear bank, closest to the belt.

To make a long story short, here is the fix, thanks to DemonSVT. Did everything he described and it runs like a dream now and very quiet.

""""
Clean the intake manifolds!

Clean the EGR & IAC while you have everything off too.

Don't forget new gaskets.

It will make a world of difference.

Finish it off with a bottle of Techron and then a new fuel filter...
"""""

Just my 2 cents. I had the same issue on my 97 (55,000 miles). Turned out to be the front exhaust manifold cat was clogged.That was NOT the ticking issue at hand. It was the leaking exhaust manifold gasket that was making the tapping sound. It was exhaust leaking sounding like a tap. Exactly from the same area. The pulley side. They replaced it and all is fine NOW no tap...

All was covered to under the emmissions warranty,,

Just my guess. But it could very well be a pully or belt issue...

Spankey

I also have what I believe you are talking about with this ticking sound. My mechanic/shop teacher said that a ticking sound as faint as mine is, are the injectors firing.

Interesting, thanks for all the feedback, I may go outside and listen here in a few, just to see what it might be, it's damn hard to pinpoint though! My IAC is brand new, and the TB looks very clean, BTW, which is the EGR valve, just so I can check it out? I'll also try and see if it is indeed the injectors, it's quite irritating, makes my car sound like a POS I'll be back after checking this all out!

yeah i had the same sound a couple of weeks ago and it was gone until 2 days ago its pretty annoying... I think its just a leak from the headers