Hi all!

Got an issue with my 1995 Eagle Talon ESI (99,750 miles) which I'm not sure if I should be concerned about.
Lately, whenever I start it up, I hear this noise which kind of sounds like a grinding or possibly a sucking noise?
I popped the hood and noticed that its coming somewhere near the water pump or serpentine belt or someplace in that area.

I first started hearing this a few months ago, and it wasn't that loud back then, but now its getting much louder.
I only seem to hear it when I start it up from a cold start and, once it gets going, the sound seems to recede. However, its hard to tell when I'm on the road.
When I revup it up, the noise increases at the same time so I'm thinking it might be the serpentine belt but, it doesn't give a normal squeal that you usually hear so, then again, I don't know if that could be causing it.

The car runs fine as far as I can tell.
The gauges all show normal and there's no CEL or other warning lights indicating that anything's wrong.

About a month ago, I noticed that the coolant reservior was empty so I put some coolant in it figuring the radiator might be low and, therefor, the water pump isn't getting enough pressure, but that didn't seem to do anything.

Or what about the timing chain?
Does anyone know of any types of problems or issues that could be related that?
Could any strange noises come from it?

Any ideas?

JT

Try some belt dressing on the drive belt and see if it goes away. If it doesnt, I would look into it more, because if the timing belt is squealing, it could be loose or be getting worn and time for a change. You can get belt dressing at any local auto store.

NO Disrespect but I know for a fact that the belt dressing is bad for your motor and is a (insert bad word here) to deal with when your address the real problem. But I would check the timing belt water and oil pump .

Originally posted by TheGhost
NO Disrespect but I know for a fact that the belt dressing is bad for your motor and is a (insert bad word here) to deal with when your address the real problem. But I would check the timing belt water and oil pump .

Dressing is bad for your motor huh? What exactly does it do to your motor? Fill me in here.

We use belt dressing to find out if belt squeals are really coming from the belt. Spray a little on and if the noise goes away, its your belt. Dressing has NOTHING to do with your actual motor dude. And I wouldnt be using it on your timing belt, just your drive belt. It doesnt hurt one thing.

So explain to me how its bad for your motor PLEASE.

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST

Originally posted by TheGhost NO Disrespect but I know for a fact that the belt dressing is bad for your motor and is a (insert bad word here) to deal with when your address the real problem. But I would check the timing belt water and oil pump .

Dressing is bad for your motor huh? What exactly does it do to your motor? Fill me in here. We use belt dressing to find out if belt squeals are really coming from the belt. Spray a little on and if the noise goes away, its your belt. Dressing has NOTHING to do with your actual motor dude. And I wouldnt be using it on your timing belt, just your drive belt. It doesnt hurt one thing. So explain to me how its bad for your motor PLEASE.

That's fine and everything, except the OP never said squealing, he said grinding.

It could be a few things. First thing that comes to mind is the belt tensioner pulling/bearing. It's in between the A/C compressor and P/S pump.

Have you replaced the timing belt? If not, it's probably not a bad idea to change the timing components & water pump. There are 2 idler pulleys (ones the tensioner pulley), and the idler pulley attached to the head seems to bite the dust. If you have changed the timing belt, did you replace the water pump? If not, do so.

It could be as simple as the timing belt rubbing the cover. In that case, find out why (probably one of the pullies or water pump)

Still waiting for a reply of how belt dressing isnt good for a motor Ghost...?

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST
Still waiting for a reply of how belt dressing isnt good for a motor Ghost...?

It was probably in reference to it making stuff sticky as it's slung off the belt(s) and causes build-up if used over a longer period of time.

You pissed farther, now leave it alone.

I'm only the second owner and, as far as I know, I the timing belt hasn't been changed. I'm starting to think that may be whats causing it. I'm going to have it checked out.
Thanks for the suggestions.

I finally figured out what the problem was after my car died.
It was the timing belt and its broke.
To me, it doesn't sound good, but does anyone know or have an idea of what kind of damage I'm going to be faced with?
Your input is greatly appreciated.

JT

Originally posted by jt14894
I finally figured out what the problem was after my car died. It was the timing belt and its broke. To me, it doesn't sound good, but does anyone know or have an idea of what kind of damage I'm going to be faced with? Your input is greatly appreciated. JT

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST
if the timing belt is squealing, it could be loose or be getting worn and time for a change.

Mike was right :) First off your going to have to pull the head off. I bet you have some bent valves. You might also have a cracked piston. Look at the pistons and check for cracks and I personally would pull each one out of the block to check the rings to make sure none cracked. Clean up the head and have it checked for warpage, machine it if necessary. Get a new timing belt, new idler pulley and new tensioner.

Sorry to hear it broke.

OUCH! Broken timing belt.

I had a two experiances with the belt. Both times a pulley fell apart. The first time i was lucky and didn't bend any valves or damage the pistons (Sounded like ball bearings beating against my firewall), because I shut the car off immediatly after I heard the bearing fall apart. And said a few choise words. But all good.

Another time my car died and i suspected it was fouled plugs from a leaking valve gasket. So i sat on the side the road cranking it and changing plugs with no results. Towed it to a mechanic, and found out that i bent all the valves. Pistons were ok. Im pretty sure most of this damage was because of my trying to crank the car after the fact.

So I hope you didnt try to crank the engine while the belt was broke.

Hate to hear that it was a belt. Curious if it was caused by a 'grinding' failed pulley? So i know BEFORE mine goes again.

GL

Originally posted by eclipse982nrRST Mike was right :) First off your going to have to pull the head off. I bet you have some bent valves. You might also have a cracked piston. Look at the pistons and check for cracks and I personally would pull each one out of the block to check the rings to make sure none cracked. Clean up the head and have it checked for warpage, machine it if necessary. Get a new timing belt, new idler pulley and new tensioner. Sorry to hear it broke.

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the comfort and solace. Its sucks that it happened, and with gas prices creeping up again, I need it for its 30+ MPG.

I talked to a trusted mechanic I know and mentioned it to him.
He said that he'll take a look and check those things you mentioned, as well as few other things. Hopefully, the valves and pistons will be ok. Cross my fingers.

Originally posted by travis642
OUCH! Broken timing belt. I had a two experiances with the belt. Both times a pulley fell apart. The first time i was lucky and didn't bend any valves or damage the pistons (Sounded like ball bearings beating against my firewall), because I shut the car off immediatly after I heard the bearing fall apart. And said a few choise words. But all good. Another time my car died and i suspected it was fouled plugs from a leaking valve gasket. So i sat on the side the road cranking it and changing plugs with no results. Towed it to a mechanic, and found out that i bent all the valves. Pistons were ok. Im pretty sure most of this damage was because of my trying to crank the car after the fact. So I hope you didnt try to crank the engine while the belt was broke. Hate to hear that it was a belt. Curious if it was caused by a 'grinding' failed pulley? So i know BEFORE mine goes again. GL

Yeah. I heard that strange noise for a while, but wasn't sure what it was. I tried cranking it a few times after it broke so my guess is that the valves are probably bent, but we'll see how bad they are after my mechanic friend takes a look.


Anyway, I'll let ya know how things turn out.

JT

Hey guys,

This is a follow up on my Talon with the broken timing belt.
When I took it to my trusted mechanic, he looked at it, and was amazed by what he saw.
The timing belt was broke, the belt tensioner was completely worn, and the belt tensioner pully and idler pulley had ground to the point that nearly all the bearings were gone.
He had never seen a mess like that before so I guess that's a first for me, unfortunately.
However, I lucked out because there was no damage to the valves so he got all the new parts, including new P/S and ALT belts, and replaced everything.
I figure I'd be looking at somewhere around close to $900 in repairs, considering dealers and service centers charge $400-$500+ just to replace the timing belt, but he charged me $660.
Its still a lot $$$, but I can afford to live with that.
He did a great job and its running great now.

JT

Yeah I would be happy too. That ain't cheap, but could have been worse.

good to hear now next time it starts making weird noises stop driving it and get it looked at.