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Screeching noise from my engine - HELP!

  • Thread starter Thread starter jmoore16
  • Start date Start date Mar 18, 2007

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
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Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#1
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #1
This post is also on the '94-'95 post but I thought there may be different folks reading....

Ok - Here is my story.

My wife's '94 347 convertible was running great until the end of last driving season (we live in Michigan) when her car developed a strange sound. Everything is great when the engine is cold but after about 5 minutes of driving and warming up, a screech develops from the front end accessories. I kind of sounds like a bearing in an alternator that is getting ready to seize up. I thought it was the alternator when I packed the car away because the screech would change in pitch at idle, and I could change the pitch with engine RPM.

I pulled her car out of storage a couple weeks ago to get it ready for the summer. I have a automotive stethoscope so I used it to find the screech. Alternator case? No. Power Steering pump? No. Water pump? No. I unhooked the fead belt and expected the noise to go away. Nope! Noise is still there so I think that I ruled out the alternator, water pump and power steering pump.

I searched the forums for similar problems and the closest thing I could find was the distributor. I put a new distributor in but unfortunately, the noise is still there.

Does anybody have any idea what this could be? Timing chain? Cam bearings? Rod or main bearings? What does a car sound like if it has spun a bearing? My oil pressure is good and the sound is not there when the car is cold.

I am at a loss. Thanks so much for your help.

John
 

blackened88lx

Active Member
Aug 9, 2006
0
4
28
Connecticut
Mar 18, 2007
#2
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #2
Could the crank pulley be rubbing on something? The timing pointer or something stupid like that? I've never heard of an internal engine problem causing a screeching sound, it would normally be a knock or tick.
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
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0
Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#3
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #3
Never thought of the timing pointer...

I will go out and take a look.

Just wondering, why would the sound get worse when the engine is warm if the pointer is touching the damper?

I will check and get back with you...
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
0
0
Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#4
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #4
Harmonic Balancer still shiny and new...

It still looks brand new. It is only three months (of driving) old. Everything seems tight around the bottom of the engine and the damper bolt is tight.

Help...

John
 

blackened88lx

Active Member
Aug 9, 2006
0
4
28
Connecticut
Mar 18, 2007
#5
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #5
Damn. I can't think of anything else on the front of the motor. I'm just trying to throw some simple stuff out there. One time my buddy's car sounded like it had a bad lower end knock, and he just had a couple loose crank pulley bolts. Best of luck with the problem, I hope it's nothing serious.
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
0
0
Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#6
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #6
Bad Roller Follower Bearing???

Has anybody ever had a bad roller follower bearing? What does it sound like?
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
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0
Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#7
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #7
Noise from around the intake and distributor...

I finally found with the stethoscope a noise that is unusual and similar to what I can hear from 20 feet away when the car is warm. I am getting the screeching noise from the forward most upper to lower intake bolt which is near the distributor.

Lifter???
 
S

superhuaman

New Member
Nov 8, 2004
907
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0
Harrisburg, PA
Mar 18, 2007
#8
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #8
distributor or cam plate maybe?
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
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Riverview, MI
Mar 18, 2007
#9
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #9
Distributor is new. Cam plate?

Cam plate? Rubbing the front of the block? This is what it sounds like. How could this develop?

John
 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet
Sep 17, 2005
2,867
3
58
Port Elgin, Ontario
Mar 18, 2007
#10
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #10
smog pump...
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 18, 2007
#11
  • Mar 18, 2007
  • #11
Roland, he hears it with the belt removed.

John, PM sent.
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
0
0
Riverview, MI
Mar 19, 2007
#12
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #12
Don't even have a smog pump...

I bypassed that long ago.

Hissin- I will check your message in a minute. Thanks.
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
0
0
Riverview, MI
Mar 19, 2007
#13
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #13
Intake Leaks

Somebody told me an intake leak would sound like a teapot boiling (kinda like what I have here), but I tried starter fluid and didn't find any vacuum leaks. I tightened up everything but still, the noise is there.

I just don't know what to do. Anybody want a clean '94 convertible?

John
 

Aliate X

Member
May 9, 2005
602
1
18
Rockland NY
Mar 19, 2007
#14
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #14
If its a loud screeching, check your belt, usually what happens when your belt is going bad.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Mar 19, 2007
#15
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #15
One more time: it makes the noise when the belt is removed.
 
C

carlp

New Member
Jun 26, 2005
59
0
0
Mar 19, 2007
#16
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #16
I have heard the same thing with my 347. Obviously it is not the belt since you have removed it on your car. I have read that aftermarket distributors have to be ground down slightly on the botom to accomodate hardened oil pump drives. The oil pump drive is not cut down enough to accomodate the distrubutor when installed. I ground mine down and thought I had enough free play but now I am questioning it. You may want to check this. If your disributor goes in easy until the last couple thousands of an inch this may be the problem. IF you find something else, let me know.
 

Aliate X

Member
May 9, 2005
602
1
18
Rockland NY
Mar 19, 2007
#17
  • Mar 19, 2007
  • #17
HISSIN50 said:
One more time: it makes the noise when the belt is removed.
Click to expand...

heh i thought you meant just with the smog bypassed.
 

jmoore16

New Member
Jun 1, 2004
91
0
0
Riverview, MI
Mar 26, 2007
#18
  • Mar 26, 2007
  • #18
Grinding down the distributor...

carlp said:
I have heard the same thing with my 347. Obviously it is not the belt since you have removed it on your car. I have read that aftermarket distributors have to be ground down slightly on the botom to accomodate hardened oil pump drives. The oil pump drive is not cut down enough to accomodate the distrubutor when installed. I ground mine down and thought I had enough free play but now I am questioning it. You may want to check this. If your disributor goes in easy until the last couple thousands of an inch this may be the problem. IF you find something else, let me know.
Click to expand...

Best hint I have had in a while. I pulled the cam out on Saturday and the bearing is shot but I don't think that this is the reason for all the noise. Maybe a symptom?

I am using a stock 94-95 distributor (actually two as I thought this was the original problem) and a stock oil pump and driveshaft. I would think that it would all work. I am beginning to think that it si my oil pump going bad.

Any thoughts?

John
 
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