Hello I'm looking at a 2002 with 187k on it..

there is a wrrrrapp'n sound on drivers side.. near timing belt top pulley/gear or front cyl..

it whrapps  at idle then give it gas it stops until you slowly let off gas and then it comes back. seems 1800-2000 rpm is where it goes quite.. once warmed up it'll whrap as you give it gas and then stop.. let off gas and it's gone.. until you let it cool again.. 

 

Any ideas???  they want 1700.00   and other than this it's cleanish..  engines dry not covered in dirt from oil leaks..

 what looks like a smog pump is on that side top... might take belt off to see if it is the issue as you start it the belt screams..  but with hose to ear and snoop'n around it sounds like front cyl. area..

 

is 1700 a good price if this is something minor??   if not I might ask them for a 2nd engine to go with sale..  (it's at a junkyard,cars for sale area)

if no 2nd engine and this is most likely something major.. about what should I offer..??

new to u-r-a-bus  so clueless.. but not automotive repair newbie. just never dealt with these

 

What else should I look at.. other than rust...     the check engine lights on. so I'll bring my scanner and get codes.. and post back... it's local and clean(rust and body dents) interior is somewhat clean, nothing a little tlc won't fix..

 

any help insight ,much welcome..

oh and sorry if there is a newbie thread. as I didn't hit it first.. (yellow bullet style)

seems dicey. Some soobs, older models mostly, do have a reputation for piston slap noise. But what you're describing seems worse.

 

if the engine was ever overheated, you may be buying a ticking time bomb that will throw a rod. But, a loose TB tensioer will also sometimes let the belt flop around, that can sound like a knock. You could pull the timing covers and look for an abraded spot where the belt has been whacking the cover I guess.

Timing belt coged idler

Timing belt coged idler

where is that on the engine

drivers side under water pump,

Timing idler or the tensioner is flapping around.

 

Either is a good bet since I doubt they had all of that replaced at 105k when it was supposed to be. If they did anything they probably had a belt slapped on and left all the old idlers on it.

 

Tensioner is under the AC compressor. Behind timing cover. It can be seen if you remove the drivers side timing cover and look in from the side with a flashlight.

Cogged idler is below that at the bottom of the block. Have to remove the center main cover to see it.

 

I'd give $1700 for it. People around here want $4,000 for 98's with more miles. 00-04 range goes for $6-10,000 depending on mileage.

thank you, guys and gals.

 

I'll go look at it. and report back..