Help engine click/growl

[Gigaah]

Well I've had this problem and my car has been parked for awhile now since I refuse to drive it with this sound.

I can start the car and rev it right away just find with no unusual noise. After it heats up though at idle I hear a clicking noise that seems to be comming from mid to lower end by the timing belt area. First sugestion was rubbing on the Timing belt cover. Well I had that..the cover was really loose all over and had several holes/circles cut in it from pullies.
I got the cover off started it up...let it warm up the sound comes back..clicking noise at idle that turns into a VERY LOUD GROWL as you rev it up and it seems to fade as you rev higher than say 3.5-4k. Read up on some things. Sliced my balance shaft belt..not really extra vibration...and the sound didn't go away either.

Any ideas? water pump? I only have the Alt belt on..no TB cover to rub on?

I'd really appreciate any input. I can't think of what else would be likley to cause this hideous noise.

 

[jott5555]

lifter tick?

 

[Gigaah]

nope. Thats a seperate sound all together wich fades as it warms up on this car.
I'd glady trade lifter tick for this problem

 

[luv2rallye]

Check the harmonic balancer (crank pulley) for seperation.

 

[Gigaah]

oops forgot to mention I have checked that already also. Crank pully/damper is in good shape.

 

[Gigaah]

I'm going to borrow a stethoscope see if that yields any better diagnosis.
I still would apreciate any input or ideas.

 

[Gigaah]

Well I got the Mechanics stethoscope on there and I'm almost certain its the water pump.
I loved the stethoscope so much I ordered one off ebay. I'm going to dive into the timing belt/water pump thing and change out everything. It will be an interesting learning experience and I've gathered all the information possible on it.

I'll repost to confirm this was cause of the sound.

 

[jott5555]

DEFINETLY let us know. if that tick turns into a knock that could cause retarded timeing.. jk


i cant really think of anything in that area that would tick and keep letting the car run purfect. if it were the waterpump bearing or something that would cause a loss in cooling and possiably a overheat.

but please report back

 

[Gigaah]

Small update:

I just did a compression test today. I got 160+ across the board! Once I got 152 on a cylinder but I did each one twice and the 2nd time I got 160-162. I think I might not have cranked to hear it crank a full 4 times so next time I counted 5 and sure enough 160+. Highest I got was 162. That crazy. I was told the engine was strong and rebuit AROUND 60k ago. I didn't take much stock in that really.

Maybe I did it wrong. I don't have a remote starter and lacked a second person. So I just hooked it up and waited to hear 4-5 revs from the starter. Maybe thats too much?

 

[Gigaah]

I forgot to update: While doing the timing belt I definatly had a bad tensioner, I could compress it some with just my thumb. They guy next door said he heard the exact same noise come from another DSM, unfortunatly he just adjusted the TB tension wich took care of the noise for awhile but then the tensioner gave out and it killed the engine.

If you ever hear a growl type clacking noise from that end it would be very wise to park it ASAP like I did or plan on rebuilding/replacing the engine.

 

[jott5555]

nice job on saveing yourself some money and a engine.. and the updates were awesome. something to keep in mind for future clicking