front of engine rattle

[zoomx2]

Just recently my car has developed a annoying rattle..its coming from the front of the engine(passenger side)..somedays its down right annoying others its barely noticable. All the accessories are running fine and the car is not running hot..is there a way of figuring it out?? Altenator is 8 months old, power steering is original(I think)..just had timing belt,etc done..could it be the thing for the belts? If so where do I find one..It all started with a couple of 6000 shifts..It was there after that and is like I said a inconsistant sound
Mike

<small>[ March 24, 2003, 10:36 AM: Message edited by: zoomx2 ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

Check those accessory pulley bearings. Best bet is the water pump. I have seen a handful of those loose their bearings as of late.

 

[JoeHoe_SHO]

I agree with Scott...Not only because he's a cool guy and he helps me out with stuff that I have no clue about but...I had a 93 MTX for about 45 days before I totaled it (damn stop signs)... About a week before that I replaced my water pump..before I did that, I heard a rattle...then it started smoking due to the coolant leaking...

 

[89 black SHO mtx]

i also agree with scott. but i have not had his bad luck with water pumps. my problem has been the p/s pump. 2 in the last year. it starts as a small rattle and it will get as load as a rod or something along that line before the shaft falls out. my advice would be go to autozone or another parts place that sells tools and buy a stethascope(ok i klnow thats knot spelled right but you get the idea). you can listen to each acc. by itself.

 

[zoomx2]

Went on a search for the noise..no luck yet..the sound now that I have started to pay closer attenton to it,has a whine sound to it..like a bearing going..as it heats up and gets warmer,by driving it,the sound becomes more of a rattle..makes quite the orchastra if in 3rd gear at the time..tranny and it coming on one after the other..you would think something special is under the hood.
time to get out the stethescope..
Mike

 

[sdpatt]

If a bearing is loose, you will be able to feel it if you grab the pulleys and rock them in and out. Don't wait until it fails before you fix it.

I replaced a water pump last weekend that had completely lost the roller bearings from both the inner and outer races. The individual rollers and bearing cage parts were laying all around the timing covers and battery shelf areas. The owner said that it sounded like a diesel engine for quite a while before the pump failed and breeched the shaft seal. Don't wait until you are out of service.

 

[zoomx2]

You appear to be correct scott..am finally in town to take a closer look at it..pulled the fender liner down and went on a search..the only pulley that has any play is the oe next to the crank and p/s pump..the water pump..it was a new install at the time of the timing belt..4 months old..yeah, fun and games time to change a pump..first ...find a water pump.
Thanx for the help..Mike