Buzzing noise from the engine bay?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,836
Likes: 0
From: Dirty Dena
i have the same exact noise!! it sounds like its coming from the right front...my guess is heatshield. i have had this buzz since i got the car and no problems so dont worry...its just annoying.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,531
Likes: 3
From: Tucson
It's possible that it may be caused by a failed timing chain tensioner. I will try and find the thread that discussed this. I think the sound was described as a high speed baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle. This is caused by the chain slapping the nylon guide.
If you search for "timing chain tensioner" in Under The Hood you will find this thread and others.
Here's one that I read...
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...l=chain+tension
If you search for "timing chain tensioner" in Under The Hood you will find this thread and others.
Here's one that I read...
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showt...l=chain+tension
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: Plumas Lake, CA
^Thanks man, That is exactly what is is going on with my car. I even removed my brake duct on the passengers side cause I thought it was rubbing on the wheel, kinda like the baseball card in the spokes sound.
What would cause the tensioner to fail? My 2004 has 32,000 miles and an engine part is already failing. Others I read on that thread has less miles than me and they replaced theirs more often. Is there a solution yet to this?
Anyways, I will check/replace the tesioner and see what happens.
What would cause the tensioner to fail? My 2004 has 32,000 miles and an engine part is already failing. Others I read on that thread has less miles than me and they replaced theirs more often. Is there a solution yet to this?
Anyways, I will check/replace the tesioner and see what happens.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,471
Likes: 0
From: Flintstone GA
Originally Posted by RED MX5,Oct 10 2006, 04:35 PM
There is no real pattern to the timing change tensioner failures. Some people have suffered regular failures at intervals of less that 20k miles, while others have put over 100k on their car without having to replace the tensioner. Modifry's car went over 180,000 miles on the original tensioner without ever having a problem. Modifry's car was an AP1. My MY00 AP1 is approaching 55,000 miles and still has the original tensioner. So far, so good.
It may be related to specific MY cars or specific runs of the cars, but we haven't seen enough data to be sure yet. (Well, we may have seen it scattered around, but nobody has collected and analyzed it yet.
)
It may be related to specific MY cars or specific runs of the cars, but we haven't seen enough data to be sure yet. (Well, we may have seen it scattered around, but nobody has collected and analyzed it yet.
)Would it be better in your opinion to just let sleeping dogs lie? It seems to me if I go ahead and replace the tensioner I could well end up with one which would be subject to fail?
To the OP - sorry about the hijack.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,087
Likes: 2
From: Dry Branch
Originally Posted by raymo19,Oct 10 2006, 03:48 PM
I'm about to have my SC/AC installed and am putting together a list of other things to do while it's in the shop. I've never had an issue with the tensioner with just over 31K miles.
Would it be better in your opinion to just let sleeping dogs lie? It seems to me if I go ahead and replace the tensioner I could well end up with one which would be subject to fail?
To the OP - sorry about the hijack.
Would it be better in your opinion to just let sleeping dogs lie? It seems to me if I go ahead and replace the tensioner I could well end up with one which would be subject to fail?
To the OP - sorry about the hijack.
That said, there is no way to know for sure that your original tensioner won't go out on you the day after you install the blower, so I'm not going to tell you *not* to change the thing.
FWIW, I didn't change mine when I installed my SC.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 0
From: Plumas Lake, CA
Ok, so on Saturday I replaced the cam chain tensioner along with fresh oil, new oil filter, and changed the tranny fluid while I was at it. Its been three days of driving and not a single buzz. Thanks guys for all the help! 
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I know this is weird, but I had the same symptom. Thought it was a loose exhaust shield. My wife mentioned the oil light had come on briefly. I checked the oil and there was NONE on the dipstick. I changed the oil, and now that it is full, the buzzing is gone. Scary, and not very logical, but that was my experience.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post