Hi all,
Several weeks ago, the timing belt started making a whining noise but van still ran fine. There is additional engine vibration with this noise. It is readily heard in the cabin. In engine bay, the noise can be clearly heard when the timing inspection/TDC plug(s) [front and/or rear] is removed. The sound is still there even without the PS and alternator belt off. The sound is like the one in this link:
.
Background:
Currently the van is at 127K miles. At 100K miles, I had a garage replace all timing components (TB, water pump, idler pulley, tensioner, hydraulic tensioner, accessory belts).
I originally suspected the hydraulic tensioner or pulley(s) was bad but went out and bought all timing components just in case any was bad. I personally opened everything up and replaced the tensioner, hydraulic tensioner and idler pulley. I checked the current timing belt and it looked very good. I spun the water pump pulley and it spun easily and without noise. Thus, I did not replace the TB and water pump. I checked the removed tensioners and idler pulley and everything looks and feels new. The old hydraulic tension still had a lot of tension. The pulleys spun without noise. After I put the timing belt on and without the accessory belts, I turned on the van to see if everything was OK. The engine ran fine. It was hard to listen for the whining sound because without the covers, the engine was quite noisy. So I put everything back. Once everything was back on, the whining sound still exists.
I searched for other cases of people having the same sound. Most of the cases involved having the wrong tension on the TB. People solved this problem by adjusting the tension on the TB. In my case, the tension is not adjustable since the tension is automatically done by the hydraulic tensioner. How can I change the tension on the TB?
Could it be a noisy belt? water pump?
I am out of idea. I was just going to go back and replace the TB and water pump and see if these will solve the problem but have doubts.
Please help!
Thanks all,
Several weeks ago, the timing belt started making a whining noise but van still ran fine. There is additional engine vibration with this noise. It is readily heard in the cabin. In engine bay, the noise can be clearly heard when the timing inspection/TDC plug(s) [front and/or rear] is removed. The sound is still there even without the PS and alternator belt off. The sound is like the one in this link:
Background:
Currently the van is at 127K miles. At 100K miles, I had a garage replace all timing components (TB, water pump, idler pulley, tensioner, hydraulic tensioner, accessory belts).
I originally suspected the hydraulic tensioner or pulley(s) was bad but went out and bought all timing components just in case any was bad. I personally opened everything up and replaced the tensioner, hydraulic tensioner and idler pulley. I checked the current timing belt and it looked very good. I spun the water pump pulley and it spun easily and without noise. Thus, I did not replace the TB and water pump. I checked the removed tensioners and idler pulley and everything looks and feels new. The old hydraulic tension still had a lot of tension. The pulleys spun without noise. After I put the timing belt on and without the accessory belts, I turned on the van to see if everything was OK. The engine ran fine. It was hard to listen for the whining sound because without the covers, the engine was quite noisy. So I put everything back. Once everything was back on, the whining sound still exists.
I searched for other cases of people having the same sound. Most of the cases involved having the wrong tension on the TB. People solved this problem by adjusting the tension on the TB. In my case, the tension is not adjustable since the tension is automatically done by the hydraulic tensioner. How can I change the tension on the TB?
Could it be a noisy belt? water pump?
I am out of idea. I was just going to go back and replace the TB and water pump and see if these will solve the problem but have doubts.
Please help!
Thanks all,
