[CapedCadaver]

Originally Posted by maxitech

A couple of weeks ago Matt and I changed the timing belt on my car. It wasn't due yet, but I have had a front main seal leak that makes everything quite messy for 50,000 miles or so. We changed the belt (which was saturated in oil and a bit loose because of it), cam seals, and of course the crank seal. When we put it back together it was making a noise similar to a bad idler pulley bearing. It just had a not-so-subtle whine to it. We figured it was the crank plate behind the crank sprocket, since we didn't have replacement parts for those handy and the plate got a little bent while trying to get it and the sprocket off of there. The noise had progressively gotten worse, so today I tore everything apart again.

There were some metal shavings from the crank plate rubbing on the sprocket, which again was thought to be the cause of the noise. I replaced the plate, the sprocket, the belt, and the tensioner (just in case it had something to do with the noise). After putting it back together I can say there is no change in the noise, it is still loud, and I have no idea what is causing it.

Obviously it has something to do with the timing belt (yes, I am sure it is not coming from any of the accessories). I am now completely out of ideas and pretty pissed that a day of crawling under the car and probably $100 between belts, tensioners, and misc. tools has resulted in no change.

Anyone else ever had this happen? What the hell is causing this noise?

you are POSITIVE it's not the water pump? grandpa's van made a noise like an idler..... and then i was driving along and heard a clunk and the water temp rocketed to H.