Odd Engine Noise...........

[Tbar]

I have an odd noise coming from what sounds like the drivers side top end of my engine.

It is a rattle the cycles for 2 seconds on and 3 seconds off and is more easily heard under light load........parked you can year it if you rev the engine to around 1700-1800rpm.

Any thoughts what this might be or how to diagnose it???


Tbar

 

[Frankenstien]

Without hearing it... its hard to say, but at least it is on the Drivers side, as in that is the easier Valve cover to get to and remove. Mechanical noises would ..IMO be limited to Rocker arm, push rod, or injector. If an injector where giving you problems, I think you would notice performance or exhaust issues. The Rocker arms are THIN stamped Steel, I dont think it would take much effort to bend one. and if it gets tweeked then the push rod is right there to get tweeked also. Start with a Long Screw Driver to use as a stethoscope to try and isolate which cylinder is making the noise. Worst case scenario you may have gotten a gremlin, if he got hung up in any moving part you could have an awful mess to clean up...

 

[BIG JOE]

What Robert said and:

You also might wana check yer I/C tube too T. I've seen acouple that when the motor torques over, under a certain load(s).. the pipe rattles against (Brake line) stuff.

Joe

 

[Zookie400]

the best method is to have a friend rev it while you creep around. personally i think the screwdriver method is just going to rattle your brains and get you nowwhere, but its free to try.

IC pipes, exhaust, oil dipstick tube, BELT AND TENSIONER???, fan clutch........see if the noise is related to anything such as the ac clutch kicking on or a rolling idle.

i doubt its internal, but its not impossible.

 

[Tbar]

I have been poking around trying to figure out this engine noise today to no avail.

Pulled the belt off and the alternator seems like it might have a rough spot(voltage remains constant)...........as does one of the idler pulleys but the noise really sounds like it is injector or lifter related on the drivers side.

Today I could not get the noise to reproduce itself in the driveway but it has become more constant and frequent while driving around town.

I have 2700 miles on the engine oil and the level is right at the full mark. There appears to be some air bubbles on the dipstick.

I fueled up this evening at a different station and added some two stroke motor oil to the tank. Will see if that has any effect in the next day or so.

FWIW..............if I stick my head in the fender wells the engine noise on the passenger side is at least twice as loud as the drivers side.

Can anyone with a 99 or 00 tell me if there is a huge difference in the noise levels from one fender well to the other?


Tbar

 

[King0581]

On my '03, I think there is a difference in the noise level from side to side but right now I am having some wierd noise issues myself.

 

[JLDickmon]

dunno Bro..
mine doesn't seem to make any difference..

does it sound like a tin can fulla marbles?

 

[Tbar]

Found the problem.........




















..........when the arse end bearing retainer finally dropped out of the alternator.

It makes a heck of a noise the the stator and rotor are dragging.

This is the third(3rd) "Life Time Warranty" Autozone unit I have put on so needless to say I am no longer a fan.

At least replacements are free and easy to put on.

I was amazed at how much this problem sounded like an odd injector rattle.


Tbar

 

[Zookie400]

holy crap.....thats crazy. that goes into the "wierd ****" file.

 

[JLDickmon]

gosh durn it Tbar... now you got me listening for any and all odd noises outta mine
(not because of a AZ alternator, but becase of the wierd sequence)