Clanking/grinding noises from timing belt/belt area?

[Golden4g63child]

This problem just started recently ever since it got cold out. Well, when I first start my car up, it would make a low clanking/grinding noise coming from the driver side, seems like it's coming from the belt area, and after about 5 minutes of idle it would go away. But when im driving, particullary in higher RPM's (4 and above) the noise would come back from the same area. If I drive in the lower RPM band, the noise it not present (or im not hearing it) but even if I rev my car up in neutral, I could hear the noise. I have some ideas on what is causing the noise (something that has to do with the belts probably) but I wanna hear what other dsmers have to say from their experiance or knowledge. Any ideas?

 

[TSiAWD666]

Crankshaft pulley. The outer pulley is seperating from the inner part as the dampener has broken apart. Just take a look down there with the car idling to see if it's moving at all. It's an $80-90 part and only takes like 15 minutes to replace.

At least this is my guess.

 

[slowblacktalon]

Originally posted by TSiAWD666
Crankshaft pulley. The outer pulley is seperating from the inner part as the dampener has broken apart. Just take a look down there with the car idling to see if it's moving at all. It's an $80-90 part and only takes like 15 minutes to replace.

At least this is my guess.

Yep, that is exactly what it is. Mitsu was really dumb and fastened the pulleys together by a stupid rubber seal. If you take your pulley off, you will notice that you can move the outer serp belt pulley from the inner one (or at least wiggle it). If it isn't that try new belts and all that, and if it isnt that.......uh oh!!!!!!!

 

[Golden4g63child]

Just take a look down there with the car idling to see if it's moving at all

So im I looking for play on the pulley or if it is spinning?

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by Golden4g63child
So im I looking for play on the pulley or if it is spinning?

Hey, if you figure this problem out for sure, please do post what you found out.

I have the same exact symptoms: grinding noise suddenly coming from belt area. Almost brand new belts. Only started a couple weeks ago when we had a bad cold spell. Worse when cold, tends to come and go. Never had an odd noise ever in 6 years.

A mechanic peeked at it for me before, but found nothing obviously wrong. I'll be checking out the things posted here now...

 

[TSiAWD666]

This should be a quick check for you: jack up the driver's front side, un-bolt the fender well cover, and take a look at the pulley's dampener material. You should see the damage there if this is the problem.

 

[leet]

Originally posted by slowblacktalon
Yep, that is exactly what it is. Mitsu was really dumb and fastened the pulleys together by a stupid rubber seal. If you take your pulley off, you will notice that you can move the outer serp belt pulley from the inner one (or at least wiggle it). If it isn't that try new belts and all that, and if it isnt that.......uh oh!!!!!!!

The whole reason that stupid rubber "seal" is there, is to absorb vibrations. Hence the name, Vibration Dampener. So no, they aren't dumb, these things just go out after about 100k miles. Carry on.

 

[Golden4g63child]

Ok,

Just finally got the chance to check the crank pulley today. Everything seems normal, no wear or tear, no play, no damage. I have attached some pictures of what I saw. Anyways, what else could cause this noise? I did tighten down the alternator tensior bolt down some more, and I check the timing belt, which seems to have a little play in it. How much play is the timing belt suppose to have by the way?!

 

[Golden4g63child]

another picture...

 

[Defiant]

DO NOT DRIVE THAT CAR.

See that big gap, and how the hub is sticking 'way out? Your harmonic balancer is bazootied.

It should look like this. With lots less dirt.

 

[Golden4g63child]

See that big gap, and how the hub is sticking 'way out? Your harmonic balancer is bazootied.

Hmm, just purchased a brand new oem crank pulley from the dealership today ($148.01 OUCH!)and looks the same to me, (the hub is sticking out). Here are some pictures.

 

[Golden4g63child]

Another...

 

[Golden4g63child]

Last one....

 

[Raph]

put it on now,and see if the oldone doesnt fall apart..,.,

mz first one went at 24000 miles...*40000km*

it looked fine till i took it off,it just split in two pieces...

this stuff usually hapens after u put new belts on/tighten belts...

 

[TSiAWD666]

Oof, you got raped on the price... I'm certain I only paid like $80-90. Next time try www.partznet.com or www.mitsupartsdirect.com.

 

[Golden4g63child]

Yeah I know, but I needed it right away since my car is my daily driver, oh well! Hope this solves my squeaking/noises!

 

[TSiAWD666]

I hear ya. Make sure to let us know how it works out. Good luck

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by TSiAWD666
I hear ya. Make sure to let us know how it works out. Good luck

After reading some horror stories of the effects of this wheel breaking up, I just bought a new one... goes in thursday. Sounds like good preventitive maintainence whether it's the cause of my noise or not.

Forget crankwalk. Sounds like we should all be more worried about pulleywalk

I'll letcha know if it solves my noise prob too...

 

[Golden4g63child]

Siberian,

Just out of curiousity, does your new crank pulley look like my new one above (the center hub protruding out)? And how much did the dealership charge you if you do not mind me asking.

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by Golden4g63child
Siberian,

Just out of curiousity, does your new crank pulley look like my new one above (the center hub protruding out)? And how much did the dealership charge you if you do not mind me asking.

$123.60

Haven't seen it yet. Wifey is fetching it for me as I type this <g>. I'll letcha know

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by Golden4g63child
Siberian,

Just out of curiousity, does your new crank pulley look like my new one above (the center hub protruding out)?

Yes. Part #MD377604. Has 3X222T stamped on wheel.

Probably an optical illusion, but oriented as in your pic, my bottom pulley is larger, where in your pic your bottom pulley looks smaller?

 

[Golden4g63child]

Yup, that pretty much identical to mine except for some reason, I have more holes on the hub assembly if you look at my picture, I have 6 holes/dimples and yours has 4, what are those things for anyways?

 

[Siberian]

Originally posted by Golden4g63child
Yup, that pretty much identical to mine except for some reason, I have more holes on the hub assembly if you look at my picture, I have 6 holes/dimples and yours has 4, what are those things for anyways?

. oh great... that's three different wheels now for supposedly the same gen car.

I figured the dimples were for lining things up when it goes on. I'll find out thursday I guess. Darn well better be the right part <g>. The Mitsu guy looked it up by my VIN#, so here's hoping...

Is yours the same part#?

 

[Golden4g63child]

Yup, same part number and everything. I don't think those holes make a difference though.

 

[Raph]

those dimples are where they balanced it....