Strange noise from front of engine?

[puppyfang]

we have a 1989 c4 with a strange "clicking" noise from the front of the engine...it it a rotational noise per my mechanic, and he can not find the cause...we have already replaced the idler pulley, water pump and altenator, the air compressor is alright, even tried to remove that large disk on the crank and the noise got louder any ideas...any ideas what or where to go from here...thanks for any help

 

[CAJUN C4]

Very strange..hard to say w/o hearing it..is it in tempo or irradic?

 

[puppyfang]

it is tempo...not a bearing wine....only thing left to change is the smog pump or the power steering...? Gets worst the longer you drive it and then stays at the same noise, until it cools down again....must be maded form old b29 parts

 

[CAJUN C4]

could be the smog pump impeller.It's made of Phenelic Resin.It will, over time,crack and seperate. Might take it off and remove the impeller and see if it helps.

 

[vigman]

Frackin SMOG pump

Mine did that for a while... till it imploded..

and I did the ill advised.. I sprayed WD-40 into the air intake.. to make it stop.. which it did.. just for a few seconds till it went BOOM.

Vig~

 

[vee93]

Mine did that for a while... till it imploded..

and I did the ill advised.. I sprayed WD-40 into the air intake.. to make it stop.. which it did.. just for a few seconds till it went BOOM.

Vig~

You........sprayed..........WD40...........into..............the.............air.........intake!?!!! And then it went....BOOM!!!?!!
Vig, THAT is funny as h*ll!!!! Uhm..., you still have yer eyebrows, right?

 

[Robertwav1]

we have a 1989 c4 with a strange "clicking" noise from the front of the engine...it it a rotational noise per my mechanic, and he can not find the cause...we have already replaced the idler pulley, water pump and altenator, the air compressor is alright, even tried to remove that large disk on the crank and the noise got louder any ideas...any ideas what or where to go from here...thanks for any help

The belt was replaced right? I have to change mine on another vehicle every two years because of the racket it starts to make. Just a thought.

 

[puppyfang]

Funny you asked...just replaced the belt 3 weeks ago and then the altenarator went, then the water pump...it is the correct belt per specs...a gator back by goodyear...has the little track cleats on it...thinking of going back to a v grooved one...any thoughts...thanks... another thought is the idler arm maybe bad somehow, we replaced the pulley but not the whole assembly...thoughts?

 

[gmjunkie]

How many Miles???

Have you checked the ware in the timing Chain??? They will sometimes slap Slightly on the Cover if stretched or worn!!

 

[CAJUN C4]

Have you checked the ware in the time Chain??? They will sometimes slap Slightly on the Cover if stretched or worn!!

Good point gmJunkie...how about a cam gear bolt backing off?

 

[gmjunkie]

Good point gmJunkie...how about a cam gear bolt backing off?

That will make a weird Noise too!!!(And it very well could be!!)But it's been my experience, that will get allot Worse Quick!!! I've seen them Backfire and Stretch a chain and cause a Ticking that sound like a Water Pump,Belt Tensioner,Alternator,Power Steering Pump or Smog Pump Bearing!!! It can Drive a Sane Mechanic NUTS!!!! Glad I'm not Sane!!!

 

[puppyfang]

well will relay this to my mechanic...I think he has gotten insane over this...and this guy is good...very good... has build race and funny cars....will not tell you what he has called this vet...but it was not nice...thank goodness he is a good friend...but I think this vet is stretching he friendship a little..when he said "no idea" it may just have to get a lot louder or finally break...this is the third vet I have owned and all of them have had weird problems... owned three mustangs and never had a problem...oh why, oh why did I switch!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CAJUN C4]

well will relay this to my mechanic...I think he has gotten insane over this...and this guy is good...very good... has build race and funny cars....will not tell you what he has called this vet...but it was not nice...thank goodness he is a good friend...but I think this vet is stretching he friendship a little..when he said "no idea" it may just have to get a lot louder or finally break...this is the third vet I have owned and all of them have had weird problems... owned three mustangs and never had a problem...oh why, oh why did I switch!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mustangs.....You think you have trouble now....

 

[puppyfang]

ok...love my vets...but I wish they were like golf clubs, when they did not work...I could put them it the closet and keep them in the dark until they behaved themselves...take out a set that had their punishment...HE! HE!

 

[CAJUN C4]

ok...love my vets...but I wish they were like golf clubs, when they did not work...I could put them it the closet and keep them in the dark until they behaved themselves...take out a set that had their punishment...HE! HE!

I hear Ya....My clubs are in the closet also....It's extrtemely frustrating.Why don't you get a stethescope and nail down exactly where it's coming from. A length of 3/8" Vacuum hose would work.

 

[puppyfang]

we think that it is the tensioner...we replaced the pulley on it but affter doing all of the stuff ( h2o pump was bad), we gave the tensioner a quick lube shot and it got quieter, did not go away completely but better... so tonight a whole new tensioner is going on it...hopes it works...we did do your trick but used a piece of brake tube...if you use this and put your thumb over the top and right next to your ear it works the same...however when we did it we could not get a paricular more noisy area..the noise was migrating around the whole area...the stethescope might have been more sensative...thanks for imput....clubs still in closet....HE! HE!

 

[CAJUN C4]

I believe your on the right track...After it's fixed go grab those clubs.

LOL

 

[Trav]

Clicky noise - Alternator Armature hitting the windings?

I had the dreaded clicky noise in mine. Turns out the front bearing in my alternator was getting sloppy. I pulled the alternator apart and saw shiny spots on the armature and windings. I put in new bearings and it went away; 6 years and going... As for the noise from the serpentine belt... I had that too. It was a misaligned pulley. If your belt is squeaking, spray a little water in it while the engine is running (watch where you are standing... don't laugh). If the noise magically stops for a few seconds and then comes back with a vengeance, it's a misaligned pulley. Pull out the flat edge and start looking. When I replaced the water pump 10 years ago, I didn't even think to line up the pulleys. I just bolted it onto the new water pump. After going through a $40 GM belt every six months before the shrieking made me insane (for 6 years... don't laugh) I found that pulley alignment tip in one of those "101 Corvette Projects" books. Criminy. Yeah, $500 in belts because I hate squeaks... stop laughing.

 

[grestmit]

I do not mean to change the subject, but I noticed you,"puppyfang",have a 89 Charcoal coupe. Do you have any photos of it.I have an 89 coupe,same color,and have never seen another 89 charcoal any where. They only made 1,440 of that color that year and I'm surprised to see someone else has one. I would very much like to see yours if at all possible.

 

[puppyfang]

yes, do have a 1989 that is the charcoal metallic...here is a picture before mods ...Know that there was only 1440 made...took mine to chevy shop to have something checked and they thought it was a repaint until they looked it up...love the color, having some engine mods done right now as it needed more horsepower...and put on a set of black grand sport rims...what an improvement...starting to make it my personal GS...for 1989....thanks
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