noise after 120K service and timing belt replacement

[flapjax]

1998 Subaru Outback 2.5 with 135K miles. Motor replaced at 42K.

 

I recently had the 120K service and the timing belt/tensioners replaced at a local "japanese specialist" garage that has good reviews. While driving home from the shop, I noticed a noise that keeps time with the motor's rpm. It reminds me of the sound of a playing card slapping against the spokes of a bikes spokes. My initial thought was it might be bearing or valve noise. This noise did not exist before the local shop did the work described.

 

I took the car back to the shop and had the service manager listen to the noise. He acknowledged that there was a noise, but declined to comment on what it may be. I again reminded him that the noise did not exist before the service.

 

He called later and stated that they checked the timing, compression, and anything else they could think of but could not determine what the noise was. He informed me that they felt confident that the noise was not cause for concern... they did not think it would cause any future problems.

 

I drove the car for a day, and when I took it up to 65 mph and accelerated, the noise seemed to become worse. I also notice it every time I accelerate during daily driving.

 

I took the car back to the shop, and asked them to "make things right" since the noise originated after the work was performed at their shop. They assured me they would, but called later and said they could not replicate the noise I described at 65 mph. They also felt that the car was running well.

 

Any thought on my next move? I feel that the motor is slightly less responsive than it was before the service, though it does idle more smoothly.

 

Thanks for any suggestions or insight.

[nipper]

Take a tech with you an dpoint out the noise.

 

I have afeeling this will turn out bad.

 

With the car running look at the main pulley. If it has any wobble at all tow it back to the shop.

 

Remove the drive belt for the accessories and see if the noise goes away, oor spray them with water while it is running and see if the noise changes or go aways. Did they replace the waterpump?

Are you SURE the replaced the tensioner and idlers?

ARe you secure and brave enough to do the stethascope test?

 

Is this a tinny sound or a deep sound?

 

Is the oil full?

 

Where does it soundlike it is coming from, front or rear of the engine.

 

Manual or auto?

 

This can be a coincidence so i am not ready to condem the shop yet.

 

nipper

[eppoh]

I'm with nipper.

It is hard to believe, but my Impreza was trashed because the accessory belt tensioner for the pulley was not tightened properly. It made a noise, that a teenager ignored- until it wore through the timing cover and kicked off the timing belt and trashing the valves.

 

Also and area of possible noise is at the little cover on the bell housing for the flywheel access point.. I can imagine if that little plug were inserted crooked it might rub and make a noise.

[GeneralDisorder]

Stethescope time. Have to locate the source of the noise, but any noise like that is bad - usually indicates short term failure of something - timing belt tensioner/idler (were these replaced?), alternator, power steering pump, etc.

 

Remove the accesory belts and start the engine. If the noise is now gone then you have an accesory making the noise. If it's still there - use the stethscope to find it's exact location or as close as you can and then post a picture here of that location - we will be able to help more easily if you can narrow it down.

 

GD

[nipper]

Stethescope time. Have to locate the source of the noise, but any noise like that is bad - usually indicates short term failure of something - timing belt tensioner/idler (were these replaced?), alternator, power steering pump, etc.

 

Remove the accesory belts and start the engine. If the noise is now gone then you have an accesory making the noise. If it's still there - use the stethscope to find it's exact location or as close as you can and then post a picture here of that location - we will be able to help more easily if you can narrow it down.

 

GD

 

A stethascope can be awooden dowel put to your ear. Best to do this with the accesory drive belt off the car can run for this test without the alt as it will take only 15 minutesnnwill also give you safer acess to the timing covers, This method works veyry well. This is something the shop should have done.

 

 

nipper