Bearing or Air Rush Sound

[Nasty Dream]

I hear what could be an abnormal (or abnormally loud) noise coming from the pulley area. Sounds like a fast air leak from a tire sound (standing next to area with the hood down), but with the hood up, when you put your ear closer, it sounds more normal like it's just ... old pulley bearings?

So, I don't know.

I have noticed it before (maybe not as loud?) and didn't think much of it.

I rarely am out of the car with the engine running, so maybe I just didn't notice it. Do you think it may be normal bearing noise, worn bearing noise, a normal or abnormal water pump noise, or something else entirely?

Here is a closeup of the area of the noise:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

I just now noticed some oil had leaked and ran down to the pulley area. I'm not sure if that's a big deal. I'm going to wipe it up. I don't think any could have gotten near the timing belt.

Here's where my valve cover was leaking. Leaking from the front only, and ran down a little.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Note: the large black ground wire is nowhere near capable of interfering with the belt (as it may appear in this photo).

I replaced the valve cover gasket about 2 years ago, and it began leaking again soon after. (I rarely drive the car the past few years as I have been working from home)

I assumed I didn't put the gasket on perfect and decided the leak was insignificant at the time. As time went on, and more oil kept coming, I began to think more of it.

So I decided to torque them down just a bit more. The VC bolts were extremely loose - Maybe less than 1 lb. of torque to turn them almost a full rotation. I tightened them up.

Not sure why I didn't recheck the torque originally. I just read the other day (after deciding to check them) that -- after re-installing the valve cover -- I should have re-checked the torque after the engine was warmed up. (Chilton's says 5 lbs. of torque required)

Maybe this is all OK. I'm going to wipe up all of the oil and keep an eye on it. I think it's about time for a timing belt and water pump? (112,000 miles) Are you supposed to replace the pulleys when you do the timing belt, or maybe every other time?

 

[stefanOst]

Careful how much you tighten those valve cover bolts, the valve cover is pretty fragile so too much and you will crack it, and then no amount of tightening will stop the leaking

It might help for diagnosis if you could get a video up with a recording of the sound. Does it get louder or go away when you are driving the car? I know when my crank pulley was starting to separate, the noise was quite audible at idle, but as soon as I would move it would disappear. However, that doesn't seem to be your issue, as the sound I experienced was a squealing/squeaking then a bearing noise.

 

[1990AWD]

Is there any play in the water pump shaft? As in do the pulleys have movement or wobble? I assume the water pump is still working and your not overheating.

And yes, if you don't know the last time the timing belt was replaced, I would do it quickly and put a new water pump on right away.

 

[Nasty Dream]

The water pump (it had failed) and timing belt was done at like 75k. The mechanic said something else should be replaced to, and so I did that. Unfortunately, I don't remember what it was called.

I'm now at 112k miles. There's nothing wrong with the way my car is running. The sound had me concerned is all. It may have always sounded the same, I'm not sure. I never really listen to the engine when I'm outside of the vehicle. Pretty rarely.

I think it's coming from the pulley, and I think it's possible the sound is normal for older pulleys. I guess the bearings are sealed and there is no way to lubricate them?

 

[1990AWD]

Yes, the bearings are sealed in the water pump.

You should be okay with the timing belt till ~135k miles (service intervals are 60k miles).

Does the sound change if you rev the engine? How loud is the sound?

 

[Nasty Dream]

Yes, the bearings are sealed in the water pump.

Ah OK. I'm misunderstanding how the engine works for a moment. It's hard/impossible to see from there.

So none of the pulleys even have bearings - they are connected to the water pump, oil pump, and alternator - which have their own bearings.

And the belt is what powers them; what makes them do their job. If the pulleys themselves had bearings they would spin freely and do nothing!

So the engine turns... the oil pump pulley(?), which has a drive belt that goes to the water pump and alternator.

That right?

Does the sound change if you rev the engine? How loud is the sound?

It's not that bad, I just was surprised to hear what sounded like air rushing. It's a similar volume to the engine itself, at idle.

I meant to say this earlier: I think I may be overreacting and paranoid.

 

[1990AWD]

Yea, I'm starting to think you're paranoid also, but don't worry, I'm the same way.

Everything is driven by the crank via belt drive. The timing belt drives the oil pump, and cams; the a/c has it's own belt, and the water pump shares a belt with the alternator.

 

[Nasty Dream]

Well, thanks for helping. Sorry for wasting everyone's time.

I just needed a beer, and now my car is fine again!

I think it may have been because of where it was parked -- front end up against a wall and with a car beside it, reflecting the sound and magnifying it.

I'm going to have another listen later now that I'm home... after I finish my spark plugs.

 

[1990AWD]

haha not a problem, I know how it is.

Alternator once went on me and for some reason I thought it was a headgasket and I was freaking out.