Moaning Sound From Front Of Motor (rb20)

[iz32]

Hi all,

I know theres heaps of threads on noisy belts n stuff but i think this is a little different...

the noise only happens when the idle drops to around 800-900rpm. basically it sounds like a low moan.

i have checked and adjusted the tension of all the belts and CRC'd all the pulley bearings and pulled the idler bearing off, cleaned lubed and replaced. (i think thats what you call it, the lowest pulley under the power steer) still no result.

i then used a long screwdriver to the ear and onto metal parts of all the units to see if i can pin point the sound a little better. that ruled out the a/c, water pump and alternator (couldnt safely do this to the power steer unit) but i could clearly hear it with the screwdriver placed at the very front of the rocker cover??

so im assuming its coming from either the harmonic balancer or somewhere behind the timing cover.

anyone experience moaning sounds from these areas before?

[Munkyb0y]

i had a similar sound. turned out to be the new timing belt was too tight. when it revs up a bit, the belt changes shape and stops moaning, then returns on low rpm.

have you replaced yours recently?

Edited October 8, 2006 by Munkyb0y

[iz32]

it was changed just before i bought it in december.

will it eventually stretch a little?

[Munkyb0y]

it was changed just before i bought it in december.

will it eventually stretch a little?

if it is that, and the timing belt is too tight, it'll be putting undue strain on your pulleys/bearings. you dont want that.

get it re-tensioned (if that's the problem).

[andylaurel]

its the ghost of the RB20 trying to escape...

you will find very shortly that the ghost will possess a rod very shortly and use it to escape through either the sump, or the side of the block.

[iz32]

awesome.....

soooo 1.3bar has not been a good idea for the last 10 months? heh.

drive it till its broke i guess.

p.s i think i will check the timing belt in the mean time.

Edited October 9, 2006 by iz32

[Kinks]

interesting. my RB20 had a similar noise that came and went - mech reckoned it would get worse before anything bad happened

suffice to say I continued driving the car for 3 years and then sold it and nothing bad happened!

but if you suspect the timing belt is too tight get someone to address it. nothing worse than bending 24 values.