Stumped by Strange Noise

Smitty

Smitty

Well-known member
My A has developed a strange noise from the engine area while I am driving along. The sound is a whine that comes and goes sounding almost like a bad bearing in a power steering pump would. If I push in the clutch and let the car roll and then bring the rpm up the whine increases. As the rpm drops the whine will lessen then suddenly stop.
I have replaced the alternator, rebuilt the water pump and the sound continues. I am thinking about the distributor and or timing gear but from everything I have read I would get a clunk or banging sound.
New England Meet is a week away, I need to figure this thing out:-(

Any thoughts?? Help.....

Thanks, Steve
 
Smitty, I had a squeeling noise that would come and go from the engine and it turned out to be the cam plunger in the timing gear cover. The small oil hole was blocked and there was no lubrication in the plunger. Easy fix, I replaced the cover as the counterbored hole was worn and made sure the small oil hole was open. Good luck, see you in Sturbridge...Barry
 
I am sure you tried this; but if not.....put a stethoscope on it and track it down.

I have one that I got at Harbor Freight and it has helped me a lot on the A and the OMC Cobra on my Bayliner.

Dennis L Oberer
Green Bay WI
 
Hi Dennis,

I have a stethoscope, problem is that it only happens while I am driving along. Goes away at idle..

Steve
 
Smitty

I was on tour this week and the first day of the tour I had a whine similar to what you describe. It appeared a higher engine revs. At first I thought that it was the throw out bearing!!

Anyway it happened to be the distributor. I had failed to adequately lube the distributor. I have the drilled shaft for the top bushing and squited in a few drops of oil and the same with the bottom oiler and the noise dissappeared immediately.

Whew!!

Dick
 
Dick, That is a good idea, probably what I should check first. I have oiled it in the past...trying to remember when I last did the bottom oiler...

Steve
 
There is no way to lube the top bushing in stock formation. You need to by the kit so the top can be lubed by removing the rotor and oiling it from there. You probably know that. Iceman
 
I found my "strange squeeling noise" to be a new style fan belt. I got some belt lubricant and spray that on every time I hear it now, and it goes away. The new belts (at least mine) are shaped differently than the pulleys, consequently a squeek.
 
That is the exact sound I am getting, I have oiled both the top and bottom distributor locations. Cross my fingers and try it in the morning.
I had a leak-less water pump on it for a while, did not leak but the bearings gave out and created a noise as well.

Steve
 
Glad I was able to point you in the right direction smitty. Don't you just love this modern tech stuff ?
 
Did you figure out the problem?

Had a squeal after putting on a new leakless style water pump and finally noticed that the leakless bushing was turning in the waterpump housing. Noticed it when the packing nut was turning slowly also.
 
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