Engine a bit more noisy lately -scared

Jivko57 · 02-13-2013, 09:18 PM

Hi, my engine developed a new timbre in the last couple of months.
It has more pronounced noise in the high ranges, not a high pitched or squealing, more like a noise from failing bearings . it is continuous and increases with the rpms. not a tranny noise, as it is there when the car is stopped and the clutch pressed.

I have a mima and tried increasing the RPMS with the electric motor , no extra fuel. The noise increased too. So the noise is not coming from the exhaust as there was no change in the amount of fuel burned yet, the noise increased.

I changed the water pump and the idler pulley, The old pulley had a little play but the noise remained. Switching the a/c on or off does not make any difference.

Can you help me with ideas or does anybody remembers similar problem and how he/she fixed it?

My engine is at ~ 270k and am afraid some problem is developing inside....

Willie Williford · 02-13-2013, 09:37 PM

You didn't happen to over tighten the serpentine belt did you?
Maybe loosen it up a little and see if the noise is still there.
By the "high range", do you mean rpm?

HTH
Willie

Jivko57 · 02-13-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willie Williford

You didn't happen to over tighten the serpentine belt did you?
Maybe loosen it up a little and see if the noise is still there.
By the "high range", do you mean rpm?

HTH
Willie

Hi Willie,
I will loosen it a bit. But the noise was there before that and did not change after the belt, pulley and water pump change..... I did not check the a/c compressor, will check it this time.

I mean it is a comparatively high noise , like the normal engine noise but some addition on the higher end. It is not ticking, banging or clicking noise, not a tap more like the noise of a small ball bearing that is starting to get too loose inside.

Will remove the belt and will check the a/c compressor. At this point I hope it is the compressor.....

Willie Williford · 02-13-2013, 11:02 PM

You can run it for a while with the belt off, but watch the temp?
Maybe start with a cold engine, you can run it longer.
Maybe the heat shield over the first CAT?
Or even the "donut" after the first cat?

HTH
Willie

Jivko57 · 02-13-2013, 11:10 PM

If it is the shield or the gasket, that would be the best scenario, I have the new ones, just waiting for the good weather....

gilbertguy · 02-14-2013, 09:01 AM

Haven't seen this mentioned so have to ask, when was the last time you adjusted the valves?

02insight · 02-14-2013, 11:07 AM

can you take a video of the sound and post here or maybe search on youtube for one that sounds similar. I remember a sound started coming from my engine on the 240k mile insight, similar to what you described, but it sounded more like higher pitched. It was on a really cold day, but it went away by itself after a couple of days.

it sounded similar to this video (not mine)

Engine whine - YouTube

Jivko57 · 02-14-2013, 04:56 PM

Thanks, attaching the video:

Strange Engine Noise - Honda Insight 2000 - YouTube

Jivko57 · 02-14-2013, 05:18 PM

The valves were adjusted ~ 65k ago.

gilbertguy · 02-14-2013, 06:18 PM

I'd start with a valve adjustment, while you have the valve cover off take a good look at all of the cam lobes for any kind of damage to the surface.

If you don't want to do the valve adjustment at least pop off the valve cover and check the cam.