Ticking sound from front of motor ( SOHC )

[aldive]

I have been having a rather obnoxious ticking sound emanating from "somewhere" on the front of the motor ( 4.0 SOHC ). The sound is totally absent with the belt removed.

Take a look at the thread about the issue located at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203852

I am concerned that a component breakdown is in the future and can't afford to be left high and dry on the side of I75 on an Atlanta run.

I hope some our great diagnosticians will chime in.

Thanks in advance ....

 

[96eb96]

I have been having a rather obnoxious ticking sound emanating from "somewhere" on the front of the motor ( 4.0 SOHC ). The sound is totally absent with the belt removed.

Take a look at the thread about the issue located at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=203852

I am concerned that a component breakdown is in the future and can't afford to be left high and dry on the side of I75 on an Atlanta run.

I hope some our great diagnosticians will chime in.

Thanks in advance ....

I read the thread.

My faulty waterpump caused belt noise issues and ate a track off the belt. They ranged from ticks to squeaks. There was some bearing play on the waterpump shaft. Did you try to spin all your accessories by hand and feel for anything unusual? Another thing...I read something a long time ago about an A/C clutch being flaky and moving around. I know there is an adjustable gap. Just a thought...

Here is another thought just from an engineering point of view..since you are using a different belt sizes and pulleys which differ from stock, and no fan, maybe this setup is introducing a noise mode or vibration into the system. Maybe try different sized belts or idler pulleys.

What brand belt are you using?

 

[aldive]

Did you try to spin all your accessories by hand and feel for anything unusual?

Yes, all "seem" normal. The tensioner is new ( 2 of them ) and the idler is also brand new.

Another thing...I read something a long time ago about an A/C clutch being flaky and moving around. I know there is an adjustable gap. Just a thought...

The AC compressor is relatively new( 3 months old ). There was no noise issues after I installed it.

Here is another thought just from an engineering point of view..since you are using a different belt sizes and pulleys which differ from stock, and no fan, maybe this setup is introducing a noise mode or vibration into the system. Maybe try different sized belts or idler pulleys.

I ran this set up several years w/o and problems.

What brand belt are you using?

I have used several Goodyear Gatorback belts as well as Dayco belts.

 

[96eb96]

A new compressor would make noise unlikely but not impossible
I'm assuming no noise before the A/C compressor install?

Does running the A/C make any difference?

How about when you push the steering toward the end (don't do it for long)?

 

[Turdle]

Is it possibly in the underdrive pulleys? The crank pulley is a bolt on part isn't it?

The reason I ask, is it seems a new belt holds everything from ticking just until it stretches out a bit--

 

[aldive]

A new compressor would make noise unlikely but not impossible
I'm assuming no noise before the A/C compressor install?

Correct.

Does running the A/C make any difference?

No difference.

How about when you push the steering toward the end (don't do it for long)?

No difference.

Keep the ideas comming. I appreciate them.

 

[aldive]

Is it possibly in the underdrive pulleys? The crank pulley is a bolt on part isn't it?

The reason I ask, is it seems a new belt holds everything from ticking just until it stretches out a bit--

Jon, yes the rank pulley is part of the vibration damper and it is bolted directly to the crank.

There was no ticking until recently with the same pulley combination.

And to reiterate, there is no ticking when running with the belt off.

 

[Turdle]

Jon, yes the rank pulley is part of the vibration damper and it is bolted directly to the crank.

There was no ticking until recently with the same pulley combination.

And to reiterate, there is no ticking when running with the belt off.

Well it's a pulley then. I'd double check the crank keyway. Maybe the pulley's worked a bit loose.

It is possible for a problem to start where one didn't exist before. If the ticking goes awy with the belt removed-you know it's a pulley-accessory problem.

 

[aldive]

The crank pulley/damper is secure.

Yes, I do know its a problem with something driven by the belt, not necessarily a pulley issue though.

The water pump and the power steering pump pulleys do not have bearings. The problem as best as I can determine HAS TO BE with either the water pump or the power steering pump.

I simply cannot determine which one.

Keep the ideas flowing, I am at my wits end ...

 

[chriswells78]

An automotive stethescope would come in real handy right about now for you Al. I love them for pinpointing little annoying noises like that.

 

[aldive]

An automotive stethescope would come in real handy right about now for you Al. I love them for pinpointing little annoying noises like that.

As stated earlier, I have been using mine since day 1.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

 

[96eb96]

As stated earlier, I have been using mine since day 1.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

Would you describe the tick as metallic or like hitting wood?

 

[aldive]

Would you describe the tick as metallic or like hitting wood?

That would be tough, but, I suppose its more metallic.

 

[96eb96]

That would be tough, but, I suppose its more metallic.

I asked that because I want to see if the noise is possibly belt-pulley related. Like if you snapped your fingernail on a pulley would the sound be similar...

You wrote in the original thread that changing the length of the belt helped the problem for a while. Are all the pulleys very clean? What about trying a lubricant on the belt to see if it makes a difference. PB is good cause it evaporates, soap and water or even comet or bonami powder. What about spraying a bit of lube into the alternator pulley or the tensioner....

The other thing is a something amiss in the alternator..possibly a worn brush. Did you try spinning the alternator by hand at high speed?

 

[96eb96]

Also...Is your Dayco belt a polycog or standard configuration? Gatorback is similar to polycog. Does this sound happen with a conventional belt without cogs?

 

[aldive]

I asked that because I want to see if the noise is possibly belt-pulley related. Like if you snapped your fingernail on a pulley would the sound be similar...

The sound is most like flipping your fingernail on a plastic box. Very difficult to describe.

You wrote in the original thread that changing the length of the belt helped the problem for a while. Are all the pulleys very clean?

The idler and tensioner are brand new and the other are pristine.

What about trying a lubricant on the belt to see if it makes a difference. PB is good cause it evaporates, soap and water or even comet or bonami powder. What about spraying a bit of lube into the alternator pulley or the tensioner....

I did this earlier; no joy.

The other thing is a something amiss in the alternator..possibly a worn brush. Did you try spinning the alternator by hand at high speed?

The sound does not "appear" to be coming from the alternator. However, I cannot rule it out yet.

 

[aldive]

Also...Is your Dayco belt a polycog or standard configuration? Gatorback is similar to polycog. Does this sound happen with a conventional belt without cogs?

Yes, the several Dayco belts that I used are Poly Cog.

I have not used any other type belt. Remember, I have used these belts forever with no noise in the past.

 

[aldive]

I would like to make a sound clip of the anoying tick but havn't a clue how to do it.

Any suggestions?

Thanks ...

 

[Willard]

Take a video camera and record it with sound. Then upload the video somewhere and link it here.

 

[aldive]

Unfortunately, I do not have a video camera.