My beast has recetnly developed a noise that comes from the passenger side front of the engine. It is rpm dependent, and makes both a "clicking" and a "scratching" sound, whereas the scratching is irregular, while the clicking is always there.

The noise can be best heard from the right front wheel well area, between tire and front bumper cover. When I open the hood, it goes under in all theh other engine noise. It cannot be heard by putting the ear over the opening on the timing belt cover, and it cannot be heard through the air intake for the smog pump. Also, it makes no difference whether the AC compressor is engaged or not. Everything on the car works as usual - no symptoms other than the noise.

At this point I suspect a bearing noise from either smog pump or AC compressor. The question is: Which one, and how serious is it?

Has anybody had a similar noise from that area, and if so, what was the cause? What did it take to fix it - new pump/compressor, or just a little grease? What would you do?

Thanks for your suggestions!

 

Nicole, try removing belts one by one. Start the car after each belt comes off and listen for the noise. Actually none of those belts are so crucial to safe operation that you can't run without them for the short time it will take to do these tests. If you have ramps it will make the job much easier, but if you don't maybe you can put one wheel up on a curb. I know you're pretty petite, so that may be enough room for you. Either way, chock the tires! You're much too nice to end up squashed at such a young age.

Best case, it's the smog pump. The smog pump is a really cheap part. The writeup on my site says $125, but I need to update that. I finally got around to getting my $75 core charge back, so it was $50 for the pump. And, it's a relatively easy swap. You'll want to make sure the check valve is OK. I played it safe and replaced mine. Also check for air-pump-innards in the air line, diverter valve, etc.

HTH!

 

Oh Dave -- I just can't wait to get under my shark and get greasy! As you might know from experience, that's sooo much better than $#%... (I know, I know, BMW drivers will disagree...)

Actually, just getting the belly pan off is a real pain in the behind, when you don't have a lift. And then I am not sure, if I could tighten the belts enough after losening and testing for the noise. If there is no other way to isolate the noise I might try it, or consult a mechanic who has the lift and the tools to adjust it correctly.

Being somewhat grease-phobic, I was hoping someone had either experienced a simlar noise before and knows where it can originate from, or someone could give me a hint on how to better isolate the source without major mechanical work.

Maybe this is the time to get myself a mechanical stethoscope. Unfortunately, Pep Boys has left town, Kragen does not seem to have it, and I HATE going to the local Harbor Freight store. Last time I got stared at and checked out from top to bottom, like at a meat market. I could not wait to get out of that place...

Thanks for calling my age "young". As you know, it's all relative. By the time this year's DEVEK days come around, it will be a big round number. I'll try to tell myself I'm not older, just wiser, and hope it will be a long time until people start calling me an "old lady", accuse me of being ugly, or worse...

 

Well, most of that stuff can be reached from the top. You'll need a good chiropractor afterward though. I forgot about the belly pan. Sounds like a set of ramps would definitely be called for. Other than that, some basic sockets and hand tools IIRC. Maybe an internal-hex(allen) socket. Tensioning the belts is done with a 13mm wrench such as the one in your tool kit, something even you could do with two fingers.

OK, here are two things you can do to try to localize the issue:

1) Get a thin wooden dowel... maybe 1/2" by 3 feet. Put this against(not IN) your ear, and rest the other end on the area you want to check... smog pump housing, AC compressor housing, Belt covers, engine. You might hear the noise everywhere and have to try to find where it's loudest.

2) Maybe not practical in your situation... I have 100-mile free towing, so keep that in mind when you read the following. If I couldn't work on the car(Out-of-town, away from my tools, etc) and I simply wanted to identify the problem before taking it to a shop, I might consider cutting the belts one by one to see if the noise goes away. I'd start with AC and PS, the least important. Then smog pump, then alternator. If it goes away after snipping the AC belt, you've lost nothing and possibly saved a compressor with nothing wrong but a marginal bearing. Anyway, except for the AC, removing any of these belts can have ramifications depending on how much driving you will do before getting things resolved.

OK, enough with the theoretical stuff. My money is on the smog pump being the problem. The AC pump would make different noise comparing engaged or disengaged. The exception would be if it wasn't actually engaging/disengaging. Check that if you haven't. If you do decide to snip the smog pump belt, don't drive it too much that way or you can plug your cats! You could probably make it across the puddle to Devek without issues, but ask them first. They would know better than I. Also, I don't think that belt drives a fan on your car, does it?

Re: Harbor freight... Maybe some baggy sweats? I know it's hard to take that as a compliment, but hey... at least they're still looking, relativity be damned. I'm not trying to defend anything, just pointing out another way to look at it.

 

Nicole, come on . . . . you're sounding like such a girl!!!

 

Hi Nicole,

Let's see if I can help. A friend of mine uses a blackout on a tooth or two of hers for Halloween. A bit of a toothless grin may dissuade the guys at Harbor Freight. When all else fails, put your finger on the far side of your nose. Then pretend like you are eating buggers.

HTH

 

Hello Miss. Nicole .With all due respect as the saying goes .I say your talking out of both sides of your mouth. E.I -Episodes at Harbor freight v/s Age is relative-getting older. Woman with looks and all ,are powerful squirrels. Mike.

 

ah yes the women of the 928 forum, why can't there be women of the 944 forum too?

Andy

 

When I go to Harbor Freight I just look the creepy ones right in the eyes, smile and say hi. Usually they don't have a clue what to say so they just scamper off.

And Nicole, you're about the same size as me. Just jack it up and use jack stands in front. You'll have plenty of room. Oh ya, when re-installing the belly pan I find it helps to use your forehead to hold it in place while you get the first bolts in (seriously that's what I do). The grease washes right off so don't worry about it.

And it's great if you want to get in there and try to find the problem yourself, but you should probably have some help from another 928'er. Sound problems are tricky - or can often be. Sound travels, so where you sometimes hear the noise is not necessarily where it's coming from and it will drive you totally bonkers.

 

Wow 2 Fem 928 owners! My wife can't stand driving my car! What gives?Believe me she's no -OLGA-. Says my car is too cantankerous. Maybe she needs to do more work around the house! What don't you two like about the car. Curiouser and Curiouser.............................. Mike

 

Wow 2 Fem 928 owners! My wife can't stand driving my car! What gives?Believe me she's no -OLGA-. Says my car is too cantankerous. Maybe she needs to do more work around the house! What don't you two like about the car. Curiouser and Curiouser.............................. Mike

 

Mike - my wife hates driving the car too- steering is too heavy, seats are too low, too red, too fast, too this, too that.....

But really, I think it has something to do with the fact that it just appeared in our driveway one day.

But at least she is talking to me now!

 

The hunchback walk is also effective. Lift one shoulder up to your ear. Move in the direction of the hump. Step with the leg of the hump side. Mostly drag the trailing foot as you move.

 

Oh baby...

A woman who owns a 928, doesn't mind getting a little greasy and with a funky leg as well? That's my kind of woman...

Rob

 

Just brainstormin' now,... perhaps without the requisite brain,... I was thinking that it would be effective to turn off the guys by spitting tobacco into a can while you are out and about. However, it might give some of the undesirables incentive to start chatting you up about your favorite chew. Oh well,... maybe someone can contribute a better guy deterrent.