What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Rattle from front of engine?

S

sooperedd

Registered Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2008
Posts
23
Reaction score
0
Location
Colorado Springs
'89 Burb 350 TBI
I get this rattle like sound from the front of the engine only when it is cold out and goes away when the engine is warmed up. My buddy told me it was the A/C compressor going out, which it did, but it sounds like it is coming from the other side of the engine down lower? It has always made the sound under the same situation since I've owned it so I can't say when it started.

Anyone have any ideas??
Thanks
 
Hit up a good a/p store or Harbor freight and pick up a stethascope which are great for tracking noises. Start pokin aroung on the alt,air pump if there is one,valve covers and home on on the noise,hopefully then you can ID it.
 
Right on, good idea. My wife has a stethascope, I will give that a shot. I am replacing the alt. anyway so maybe I'll get lucky and that will be it. Thanks.
 
Stethescopes are great. Get one with the metal rod that is attached to a diaghram housing. Put the end of the rod on a water pump, etc, and you can hear very clearly if that is the problem. Also check the block near the cylinders. Could be piston slap. Caused by a little too much clearance between the piston and the cylinder when the engine is cold. When the piston heats up, it expands, noise goes away. Drive it easy when it is cold and don't worry about it. It can go for years.
 
I get a rattle from mine, the A/C compressor. When its off it just makes a light tinny sound, when its on, sounds like a belt drive blower. I noticed that I get a rattle from the air injection non-return valve too.
 
this may be a reach, But same sort of thing plauged me and since you said it sounded like it was lower on the opposite side, Try checking your exhaust where the pipe bolts to the manifold. I had an annoying rattle that would go away after the motor warmed up and it was the exhaust pipe bracket (with the three holes) that was just loose enough to rattle when it was cold and then it would expand enough with the heat to quiet the rattle. Just another option.
 
I would start by removing the serp belt and starting the engine to see if the noise is still there. If the noise is gone then you need to start checking each accessory. If the noise is still there then the stethoscope will come into play and be of big help.
 
4X4HIGH said:
I would start by removing the serp belt and starting the engine to see if the noise is still there. If the noise is gone then you need to start checking each accessory. If the noise is still there then the stethoscope will come into play and be of big help.
Click to expand...

I've never taken the belt off and started a car, can you do that?

I am replacing the alt. and I am replacing the belt so if I can run the engine without the belt I'll give it a crack.
 
sooperedd said:
I've never taken the belt off and started a car, can you do that?

I am replacing the alt. and I am replacing the belt so if I can run the engine without the belt I'll give it a crack.
Click to expand...

you can only run it for short periods of time, b/c the water pump isn't turning. but in order to eliminate different causes of your noise, running it without the serp on there long enough to see if the noise is gone or continues won't hurt.
 
sooperedd said:
I've never taken the belt off and started a car, can you do that?

I am replacing the alt. and I am replacing the belt so if I can run the engine without the belt I'll give it a crack.
Click to expand...

You can start and run the car without the belt but only for a minute or two. Without the belt the waterpump obviously won't be spinning so heat will build quickly. The best thing is to start the engine with the belt off when the engine is dead cold this will allow you the longest amount of run time (no more than say 3 minutes). it should only take you less than a minute anyways to tell if your "rattle" is gone or not.
 
I'm wondering if it could be the impeller shaft bearing on the water pump going out?

I am the 3rd owner and there were no maintenance records with it. Just would be handy in a situation like this.

I think being that I am replacing the belt I might as well as replace the water pump too. It is a fairly cheap part.

Thanx to all for their help!
 
sooperedd said:
I'm wondering if it could be the impeller shaft bearing on the water pump going out?

I am the 3rd owner and there were no maintenance records with it. Just would be handy in a situation like this.

I think being that I am replacing the belt I might as well as replace the water pump too. It is a fairly cheap part.

Thanx to all for their help!
Click to expand...
Dont just go throwing parts at it and hope it works.....
 
Replaced the 2 idler pulleys as they were just about shot and the belt. I will leave it at that for now and keep listening.

Thanks to all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom