Clacking noise around belts (with video)

[uberswede]

I tried posting this once already, and for whatever reason it seems like clicking the topic just gets "page not found". So much for getting some replies yesterday/today... :/


As the title states, I've got a pretty bad sounding noise coming from around the timing belt area... Nothing looks to be wobbling, and honestly, the motor is still running fantastically otherwise.

Yes, I know I need to put the timing belt cover back on. Yes, I know I have a bit of an exhaust leak. Now that THOSE two are out of the way...

Here's a quick vid of the noise.

Chattering noise - 1g-swapped dsm - YouTube

I did a bunch of searching around, and the only feasible idea I've found is that I need to adjust the tensioner pulley. The belt may be too loose and flapping against something just above the harmonic balancer.

I should also add, just in case, that this is a 1g swapped into a 2g.

Any other thoughts/ideas before I book some time on a hoist and start ripping things apart?

Thanks in advance.

 

[la-panocha]

My first guess is harmonic balancer. Sounds similar to two balancers I've had to change. One of them was on a Lincoln continental but that one had more of a ' ting ting.....ting" noise and only did it when idling.

Second guess would be a possible bad bearing in alt or steering pump....

A Stethascope would help ya out to pinpoint with better accuracy.

Maybe removing 1 belt at a time would help eliminate or find noise also.

Good luck

 

[uberswede]

The harmonic balancer is straight from Fluidampr, with maybe 6000-7000 kms on it... I'm sincerely hoping it's not that.

Already had a stethoscope on it with no luck.

Removing the belts one at a time was what we were going to try first... should still run without any accessories, etc...

Any other ideas, y'all?

 

[SleepyGST]

I actually had a very similar noise, kind of like a card in the bicycle spoke kind of noise. Ended up bringing it to a guy who we've been bringing our cars to for years and it was the harmonic balancer. The center was completely seperate from the outer casing and was jumping around. I'm suprised it still actually spun properly!! Hope that helps, good luck.

 

[uberswede]

Like I mentioned in the last reply of mine, "The harmonic balancer is straight from Fluidampr, with maybe 6000-7000 kms on it... I'm sincerely hoping it's not that."

Anybody around with Fluidampr-related horror stories? I bought and installed this because I wanted to PROTECT my fully built block... Not to create more problems.

MITSUBISHI DAMPERS BY FLUIDAMPR

 

[bryanwheat]

Jack the car up and check it out. You will see if there is anything wrong with it. From there you can pull the ac, and alternator belts to rule out the accessories.

 

[uberswede]

That was exactly our plan. I've got a hoist booked all day tomorrow; I've got a few other things I wanted to get done so I booked a whole day for it.

HOWEVER... The noise seems to have subsided. I haven't heard the noise in at least a couple days now... What are the chances the belt was rubbing against some plastic, or part of the cover was rattling and just wore enough that it's not making the noise anymore? Or there was a loose washer somewhere or something that finally just fell out?

Honestly, aside from the mild exhaust leak, the motor sounds great now. i don't want to start tearing everything apart if I don't really need to. I guess we'll see if the noise comes back, or even ends up getting worse...

In the mean time, I'm gonna go get sideways in the rain. Woo!