Whine/squeal when hot, clutch engaged

[bhardy222]

1999 Ford Escort zx2; whines/squals when after about 30 min of driving in 70 degree F plus weather. Sounds like a pulley, have replaced the alternator, seems to be coming from that area. Oddly enough, sometimes is will go away when the clutch is engaged, regardless of whether its in nuetral or a gear. PLEASE HELP!
Thanks, -Bill

[jeffcoslacker]

Sure it's not the clutch release bearing?

[bhardy222]

Hmmm, it very well may be. I have no idea where it is located wthiin the transmission, the noise definitley comes from the passenger side though. You have any idea? Thanks for the help!

[jeffcoslacker]

Try taking the belt off or spraying it down with WD-40 and run it, to see if the noise changes. If so, you know it's a belt drive issue. If no difference, it's a belt driven accessory bearing, or something not realated to anything belt driven.

I find belt tensioners cause a lot of noise problems, you can see if you can apply some force to the arm while the motor runs, and see if the noise changes. The bearing in them will hoel or growl, and cause the belt to wistle because the pulley is draggy or misaligned.

The clutch release bearing idea might be a red herring, just thought I'd ask because of what you said about the noise changing with the clutch in.

The release bearing is sandwiched with the rest of the clutch components between the motor and tranny. If that was the noise, you'd probably hear it best under the car. Usually you can feel a slight gravelley harshness through the clutch pedal when they go bad as well.

Anyway, run it with that belt off for a short time and see if the noise is gone or spray it down first, then tell me what you find out.

[jeffcoslacker]

Here's a thought that's way out there too, but I have seen it. The timing belt tensioner could be the cause. I can't remember what car it was on, but I had one in the shop once that drove me nuts with a similar noise.

Like your's, pushing the clutch had some effect on it, but not all the time, and it wasn't the release bearing.

Here's what I figured out. When the clutch is out, the pressure plate is pushing everything in front of it forward. That's how the clutch works, the plate's springs "clamp" down on the disc, trapping it between the plate and flywheel. When the clutch pedal is pressed, a certain amount of front-to-back thrust is changed on the flywheel, and thus the crankshaft as well. So the crank could drift slightly and change the position of the timing sprocket on the front of it very slightly, just enough to effect the way the belt ran over the bad timing belt tensioner.

I doubt I'll see that again in my lifetime, but I suppose it's possible.

[bhardy222]

Jeffco, thanks a million man. I truly appreciate you time! I'm going to play around with it tomorrow. I think I might try to spray it with WD-40 while it is still on. The belt is a bitch to get off because the tensioner is about halfway down and there isnt much clearance. I usually use a loaner belt tensioner tool when I mess with the belt. Eoe that timing belt tensioner problem you saw sounds unusual. I hope its not my problem becuase it sound difficult to diagnose and repair. Thanks, have a good holiday weekend! TTYL

[jeffcoslacker]

Seems to be a common complaint on these cars, beginning to see a pattern. You try calling the dealer and ask if it's a common problem? Maybe they can tell you what it is?

[bhardy222]

Tried the wd-40 no change. Called the dealership; weren't any help (the guys was an ass).
I never thought it was related, but when I turn the car to the right (only right), regardless of clutch position, is makes a faint whine on occasion. A totally different sound, and it only does it when the car is moving so I can really tell when it is coming from. Think that might be related? -Thanks!
BTW, nice car!

[jeffcoslacker]

Thanks!

Not sure, though. Can't really think of a scenario that would connect those two symptoms. I've seen a lot of posts about your mystery noise from the motor, and it seems the general opinion is that it's harmless and common on these.

I don't pay a lot of attention to the wife's ZX2, and I don't drive it much. It may have that noise.

I guess the next step would be to remove the belt and run it to see if the sound is serp belt driven or not (don't let it run more than a minute or so). It wouldn't suprise me if it was the power steering pump, they've always been noisy on Ford products. Good for lots of weird whine and growl sounds.