88ShelbyZ Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Alright, a little background. The car is a 1995 Buick Regal GS with a 3.8 Series I and 164k miles. The AC compressor went out back in December and took the water pump with it. I had those replaced at a reputable shop. I got the car back January 2nd and it has been making this noise ever since: Download VORC002.WAV It's pretty poor quality, I know. I rev the engine a couple of times just to show that the noise goes away above 1500 RPM. So, wehn I got it back from the hsop, they told me that the noise was caused by the belt tensioner. So I replaced the belt tensioner in February. No go, still made the noise, but the tensioner was shiny, so that held me over for a little bit. Got tired of the noise again in late March. The noise seemed to be coming from the PS pump. So I finally buy a new pump and borrow a puley puller from my shop teacher. I replace that 2 weeks ago. Again, a no go. Still makes the noise. So this week, I'm thinking that A. The noise goes away when I accelerate and is coming from the passenger side of the engine, has to be part of the serpintine system and B. The only parts of the serpentine system that hasn't been replaced yet are the crank pulley and the alternator. Well, I took a day trip to the Pick and Pull out in Pennsburg, PA and got 2 alternators, (And an armrest and a windshield washer fluid tank). So today, I get around to putting them in. 1st alternator, nothing, still makes the noise. 2nd alternator is almost brand new, still nothing. Keeps making that freaking noise. I'm at my wits end. I was hoping that someone on here might have an idea of what this is before I drive the 25 miles out to the shop that did the work. Cliffs: Freaky Engine Noise (See URL) Replaced Compressor, Water Pump, PS Pump, Belt Tensioner, Alternator (twice) and still makes the noise Noise goes away (For the most part) above 1500 rpm, if I accelerate hard and let off the gas, it knocks once. HELP! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ShelbyZ Posted April 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Can you see anything out of the ordinary like the belt moving around? Does the tensioner move a lot or stays put? As far as I can tell everything stays where it should be. There isn't any wobble in the belt while it's running or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ShelbyZ Posted April 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 It definitely sounds like something is hitting against something... You're certain it's at the front of the engine? Nothing like loose torque converter bolts? Nothing is down hitting against the pulleys? Well, it at least sounds like it's on the pass. side of the engine, but it might be elsewhere. I'm just curious as to why it goes away at above 1500rpm. After that, I only hear it if I accelerate and let off immediately. It's definitely quieter over on the driver's side of the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockfangd Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 this may sound a little off but it almost sounds like a cam rattle. coul be a bad bearing possibly. doesnt sound to me like anything to do with the drive belt system at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 sounds like somones holding a screwdriver on ur alternator fan. u can now thank me for that information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 there is a problem on some 3.8's (I think mostly your series) where the cam will "walk" and grind up against the front cover. There's a cam button that is supposed to prevent this, but it's spring loaded and has been known to fail. Do this to help yourself: With the car running, take a long solid item like a long screwdriver or 3/8 extension. Put one end to the front timing cover somewhere, and put the other end to your ear. You should be able to hear various sounds. Find out if you can hear this noise coming from that. You can try this on other accessories too but since you have replaced many of them, and it also doesn't sound like an accessory problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ShelbyZ Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Well, bad news. Took off the belt and it still made the noise, albeit a little quieter. So looks like the Cam, or something more serious. Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 cam or something to do with the timing chain/ gears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ShelbyZ Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 cam or something to do with the timing chain/ gears. Got this from another forum: Sounds like the timing chain slappin against the chain guide in side the cover. Definiely a metal to plastic sound from what I can tell and those chains wil slack up and do that. My father in law did his on a 91 regal with the 3.8. Took a look at the procedure for removing the timing chain cover. Damn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88ShelbyZ Posted April 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2007 Turns out the Harmonic Balance had split into 2 parts. Who woulda thunk it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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