Engine squeal

[GeoMetron]

I have a 1991 Geo Metro Convertible.


Recently, there is a ringing sound coming from the valves and something I can only describe as a squealing noise coming from the left side of the engine that isn't associated with the alternator belt. It sounds like a bearing going bad. I removed the alternator belt and ran the engine so I know the noise is not coming from the alternator or the water pump.

Might the cam bearing be going bad? Could this also be related to the ringing noise coming from the valves?

Thanks.

[geozukigti]

It might be the water pumip. If your cam bearing is bad, it would leak oil like a bitch. I dunno, I shoulddne be on here right now, been partyin, and had a fe wbeers. I dunno what I'm doin here, i'm goin bek to rhe party! (i'm ongnga regert the pist in the morning)

[westsidex]

Nice one geozukigti

[geozukigti]

Wow, ok, i'm a retard. I haven't drank like that in months. Ok, now that I know which way is up.... A squealing noise... Only non-oil bearing on that side of the motor not associated with the serpentine belt is the timing belt tensioner pulley. They're notorious for going bad. I would recemmond changing your timing belt, and the tensioner. It WILL cause your timing belt to fail very soon. Like any bad bearing, it tears belts apart.

[GeoMetron]

Ah!

I was wondering if the tensioner could go bad. A buddy of mine didn't think there was anything that could go bad with it. I wasn't so sure.

I think I've also figured out the valve ringing problem. When the motor is good and heated up, the valve ringing goes away. I'm pretty sure this means that there is trouble with getting lubrication up there. I'm going to switch to a lighter-weight oil and see if that helps. I'm pretty sure I'm in need for a new oil pump.

Thanks for your advice,

GeoMetron

[Salemetro]

Like Geozukigti said....timing belt tensioner/belt time. The valve noise you are hearing could quite possibly be due to belt stretch that is causing retarded CAM timing....not good....so do it soon, and problems will most-likely disappear

[GeoMetron]

The problems with the valves did go away with a replacement tensioner. However, I'm not so sure I have the complete part. In the Haynes Manual, they show a tensioner that doesn't look like the part I installed. The middle part, what I suppose is the bearing is the part I have. But in the photograph from the Haynes Manual, there seems to be a ring surrounding the inner bearing.

I wish I had a digicam and a scanner to show you what I'm talking about.

When I first saw the discrepency I figured that the previous owner must have left a piece out and was tensioning the belt incorrectly. Imagine my surprise when I ordered a new tensioner only to discover the same part (although original tensioner was bad).

Am I missing a part? Is the Haynes manual incorrect?

GeoMetron

[Salemetro]

As I recall....when I did the belt and tensioner on my 91, there was just the tensioner bearing, and a tensioner pre-load spring hooked to it....and of course there was the bolt to tighten the tensioner in place.

[GeoMetron]

Yes, this is what I have too.

But the Haynes Manual shows something that looks a little different. They could, of course, be using the engine out of a Sprint, which could be slightly different. I don't believe they identify, besides saying that it's a three cylinder, which vehicle they photograph.

Anyhoo...I'll take your word for it and GeoZuki's too if he concurs.

I do still hear a whine coming from that side of the engine though. I'm going to remove the alternator belt and run the engine at temperature to see if the whining persists. The last time I ran the engine without the alternator belt the engine was cold.

I've noticed that when all my accessories are on (lights, wipers, radio, and blower, that the idle drops to below 500 and the engine threatens to stall. Bad alternator perhaps?

Thanks,

GeoMetron

[Salemetro]

You might hear a little bit of noise from the timing belt...but it shouldn't be very noticeable. If it is, you might have over-tensioned the belt. As far as the idle dropping, mine does that too. It used to be REALLY bad...but when I swapped the engine to one of those "35k-mile-or-less" imported units, I noticed that what came on the "JDM" engine was a different crank pulley that was designed to over-drive the alternator, and under-drive the A/C. I decided to use it instead of the one that originally came with my car, and have been pleased with the results. It still bogs down a little with everything on at idle...but not near as bad a before. And I still get 45mpg....so no notice of adverse affect on mileage.

-James