Low pitch, repetitive noise after timing belt change (VIDEO LINKS)
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4
Low pitch, repetitive noise after timing belt change (VIDEO LINKS)
Hello everyone! New to the forum...
Back on the 16th of January, I took my 2000 SE into a local mechanic (highly regarded btw) to get my timing belt changed. It had 95,000 and here's what was done:
- New timing belt
- New balance shaft belt
- New front cam and crank seals
- New water pump & coolent
However, since getting the belt changed, I've been hearing a low pitch, repetitive noise coming from the engine compartment that wasn't there before. I say "repetitive" in the sense that it seems to keep in time with the revolution of the belt(s). I would also hear a lound "screeching" noise when I turned the wheel all the way to the right/left.
So, I took it back after 2-3 days and he fixed the screeching noise (PS belt too tight) and I thought he'd fixed the other noise but it still continued after a day or so (he said the timing belt was either too tight or too loose...can't remember). I then took it back a third time a week later...he looked at it extensively and told me it sounded just fine.
Here are a couple of links to some videos I took. You can hear the sound more as "background" noise but it's definitely audible in my opinion.
Can anyone else hear it? Or am I just being paranoid? Other than the sound, it's been running like a champ
Thanks,
James
MVI 3919 - YouTube
MVI 3920 - YouTube
Back on the 16th of January, I took my 2000 SE into a local mechanic (highly regarded btw) to get my timing belt changed. It had 95,000 and here's what was done:
- New timing belt
- New balance shaft belt
- New front cam and crank seals
- New water pump & coolent
However, since getting the belt changed, I've been hearing a low pitch, repetitive noise coming from the engine compartment that wasn't there before. I say "repetitive" in the sense that it seems to keep in time with the revolution of the belt(s). I would also hear a lound "screeching" noise when I turned the wheel all the way to the right/left.
So, I took it back after 2-3 days and he fixed the screeching noise (PS belt too tight) and I thought he'd fixed the other noise but it still continued after a day or so (he said the timing belt was either too tight or too loose...can't remember). I then took it back a third time a week later...he looked at it extensively and told me it sounded just fine.
Here are a couple of links to some videos I took. You can hear the sound more as "background" noise but it's definitely audible in my opinion.
Can anyone else hear it? Or am I just being paranoid? Other than the sound, it's been running like a champ
Thanks,
James
MVI 3919 - YouTube
MVI 3920 - YouTube
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
I hear the noise.
The tension on the timing belt is automatically adjusted so it cant be too tight or too loose.
If the noise is coming from the timing belt there are two things that may cause a noise.
1. Your mechanic forgot to remove the bolt that locks the timing belt tensioner in place.
2. The tensioner sits on a pivot that can easily be overlooked. Look at the writeup in the common diy thread on top of the gen tech help forum. The link is for timing belt noise.
The tension on the timing belt is automatically adjusted so it cant be too tight or too loose.
If the noise is coming from the timing belt there are two things that may cause a noise.
1. Your mechanic forgot to remove the bolt that locks the timing belt tensioner in place.
2. The tensioner sits on a pivot that can easily be overlooked. Look at the writeup in the common diy thread on top of the gen tech help forum. The link is for timing belt noise.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4
It's been a while since I updated this thread but I was FINALLY able to get my car back to the mechanic mentioned earlier (btw, the sound had grown even louder).
After having it all day, he called me back and told me that the sound had been coming from the new WATER PUMP they had installed, which turned out to be faulty (bad bearing or something like that). So, they told me they replaced it and gave me a free oil change since I needed it done anyway. Although, I wondered to myself that if the water pump was FAULTY, why did it only cause a particular noise but not make the car overheat at all...but I digress.
Drove it home yesterday morning from their shop, about 8-10 miles away, and didn't hear the sound anymore...fantastic! However, after taking a long drive last evening on the interstate, when I came home, I decided to open the hood because I was just curious...and I swear I think I hear the sound coming back (albeit very faintly).
Also, when I went to raise the hood, the support rod was VERY hot to the touch and a rush of hot hair hit me in the face...honestly, I've never popped open the hood after getting back from interstate driving but does this seem normal? The temperature gauge never went past 1/2 way today but it never has ever before...
Maybe I'm just a paranoid consumer...mmmmmm. When anyone gets a chance, would you mind watching/listening to the first videos I posted and then compare them to the one I took today? I would greatly appreciate it...
If I have to take it back again, it would be the THIRD re-visit (not counting the initial installation).
After having it all day, he called me back and told me that the sound had been coming from the new WATER PUMP they had installed, which turned out to be faulty (bad bearing or something like that). So, they told me they replaced it and gave me a free oil change since I needed it done anyway. Although, I wondered to myself that if the water pump was FAULTY, why did it only cause a particular noise but not make the car overheat at all...but I digress.
Drove it home yesterday morning from their shop, about 8-10 miles away, and didn't hear the sound anymore...fantastic! However, after taking a long drive last evening on the interstate, when I came home, I decided to open the hood because I was just curious...and I swear I think I hear the sound coming back (albeit very faintly).
Also, when I went to raise the hood, the support rod was VERY hot to the touch and a rush of hot hair hit me in the face...honestly, I've never popped open the hood after getting back from interstate driving but does this seem normal? The temperature gauge never went past 1/2 way today but it never has ever before...
Maybe I'm just a paranoid consumer...mmmmmm. When anyone gets a chance, would you mind watching/listening to the first videos I posted and then compare them to the one I took today? I would greatly appreciate it...
If I have to take it back again, it would be the THIRD re-visit (not counting the initial installation).
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 394
From: Portland, Oregon
I do hear a similar noise very faintly in the recent video you posted as well. That's pretty weird. Take it back to a mechanic and ask what's up.
On my 95 Accord the hood support rod would get pretty hot, and I'd definitely get a blast of hot air in the face when I popped it after a "spirited" drive. Unless your temperature gauge is above normal I personally wouldn't worry about it too much, but you could ask the mechanic if everything is running at a normal temp when you get the noise checked.
I would also take it to a different mechanic this time, just in case the first one is making repeated mistakes and just covering them up with a temporary fix. If you don't know the mechanic very well who did the work, don't trust them.
On my 95 Accord the hood support rod would get pretty hot, and I'd definitely get a blast of hot air in the face when I popped it after a "spirited" drive. Unless your temperature gauge is above normal I personally wouldn't worry about it too much, but you could ask the mechanic if everything is running at a normal temp when you get the noise checked.
I would also take it to a different mechanic this time, just in case the first one is making repeated mistakes and just covering them up with a temporary fix. If you don't know the mechanic very well who did the work, don't trust them.
Super Moderator
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 16,329
From: Houston, TX
I don't know if the shop still has something wrong like the tensioner installation like I mentioned before.
If the dealer has to remove the timing belt cover, then it may get expensive. I don't have a good suggestion.
If the dealer has to remove the timing belt cover, then it may get expensive. I don't have a good suggestion.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4
Yep, just took it for another drive and the sound seems like it's getting louder. I called the local Honda dealer's service center and explained to them what was done initially and the "noise problem" I've experienced thus far.
He said I could bring it in and they would charge $40 to look it over and tell me if everything looks like it was done correctly. If something is found that needs to be corrected, the $40 would go towards any repair. Also, after telling him what I was initially charged for parts/labor, he said they could have done it for about $50 cheaper...live and learn I guess.
Does anyone think I have a leg to stand on if I asked the original mechanic for a refund on the labor? I've taken it back 3 times since the original work and taking it to the Honda dealer will be the forth...honestly, I just want whatever's causing the noise to be fixed and move on but I also want to "call out" the mechanic for the inconvenience he's put me through (time, rental car, etc...).
He said I could bring it in and they would charge $40 to look it over and tell me if everything looks like it was done correctly. If something is found that needs to be corrected, the $40 would go towards any repair. Also, after telling him what I was initially charged for parts/labor, he said they could have done it for about $50 cheaper...live and learn I guess.
Does anyone think I have a leg to stand on if I asked the original mechanic for a refund on the labor? I've taken it back 3 times since the original work and taking it to the Honda dealer will be the forth...honestly, I just want whatever's causing the noise to be fixed and move on but I also want to "call out" the mechanic for the inconvenience he's put me through (time, rental car, etc...).
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 908
From: Washington State, USA
Me, I'd give them one more shot, even though you must be fed-up. Make sure the problem is clearly recognizable.
Been Around A Long Time Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,008
From: Denver
The only sure way to diagnose it is to start taking stuff off and running the engine. First the P/S pump belt. Then the alternator/AC belt. Then the top cover. Then the bottom cover. If the noise is still there after that stuff's off then a length of hose stuck in your ear should pinpoint where the noise is coming from.
To me it sorta' sounds like the bottom cover rubbing on the harmonic balancer. I've seen a few junkyard F23s with circular rings sliced into the covers to speculate that this is a common occurrence.