96 sunfire making weird flapping noises

Hi
I'm still kinda new to cars so im not really sure what my problem is or if it is a problem at all.
I drive a 96 sunfire sedan in auto with the 2.2L engine and 84k on it. I was wondering why it makes a weird flapping noise while the car is either driving or idle. Kinda makes my car look and sound like a hoopty :banghead:. Can anyone tell me whats wrong with my car?
TY :)

Hi
I'm still kinda new to cars so im not really sure what my problem is or if it is a problem at all.
I drive a 96 sunfire sedan in auto with the 2.2L engine and 84k on it. I was wondering why it makes a weird flapping noise while the car is either driving or idle. Kinda makes my car look and sound like a hoopty :banghead:. Can anyone tell me whats wrong with my car?
TY :)

This flapping noise , is it like when you stuck hockey or baseball cards in the spokes of your pedal bike as a kid ?

Tuxxer

yes
pretty much something like that
(god im sucha noob when it comes to cars =] )

yes
pretty much something like that
(god im sucha noob when it comes to cars =] )

The only thing I could think of , was that since you mention that it happens at idle, that eliminates any airflow over the body , during motion. So from here , check the fan cowling , to see if you have a loose bolt , or somthing jamed into the rad ,thats hitting the fan.

Tuxxer

i think the sound is coming from the engine though... =(
is there a fan in there?
sry again~

i think the sound is coming from the engine though... =(
is there a fan in there?
sry again~

Unless that car is air cooled , there is a fan in front of the engine.

A thought strikes me here , I think it should be on your driver side , where the door meets up with the body by the hinges. Look for a plastic door where your fuse box is, make sure thats closed. It will be on the side of the dashboard.

tuxxer

k thx ill take a look at it and ill let you know what happened

well its wasnt the plastic door but im pretty sure the sound is coming from the alternator. do they all do that or do i need to get a replacement?
thx in advance

I have a 95 sf, and went to nyc not long ago, on my way home I just made it over the whitestone onto the hutch and I went to hit the gas and was total butter, nada, I freaked! Here it was the alternator bearings, blew right outta tha back of it!!
We were in tha left lane (2 lane road) with traffic going 60-70. It was real scary... better to be safe then sorry.. Not too much $$ to fix either. :-)