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Hey all,

I have been having a loud ticking noise at and near idle, that doesn't seem to change much when engine is hot or cold, but it goes away a little bit beyond engine idle speed.

Here is a video of the sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7AUfhN ... ata_player

From my research I think it is either the friction gear or HLAs, but I wanted someone else to verify it for me. I checked the timing belt and it seemed tight enough, but I will likely change it soon for peace of mind (always try to with new cars).

Assuming it is, is there any problem with driving the car until I can replace/fix the HLAs and/or friction gears? Also, I heard flushing the engine oil with seafoam or similar and putting new oil in can often remedy the problem, has anyone else had any luck with this? I've also heard elsewhere that seafoam can damage the engine if used incorrectly.

I found a guide on replacing the friction gears, but not as much info of the HLAs, if anyone could point me in the right direction that would be great.

Thanks for you time!

Pull the covers and make sure the tensioner is tight before you go replacing the friction gear spring. I can't watch the video at work, youtube is blocked, but Ill check it out when I get home.

Place a large screw driver against your intake/heads with the other end on your ear and see where the taping is loudest. If it's near the timing belt end then it's probably a worn out TB adjuster. Duralube works very well de-gunking your engine so you could try that. Rislone works, there are oil flush products as well as Seafoam.

Daninski has the right idea. I'd get a mechanics stethoscope. This is really just a guess, but after seeing / hearing the video it does not sound like noise from inside the engine (HLAs or Friction Gear Spring). Use the stethoscope to check the accessories that are run by drive belts (AC compressor, alternator, power steering pump). You'll have to raise the car and remove right wheel to get a clean shot at the power steering pump. If none of those are obvious then I'd guess the timing belt tensioner could be shot and the timing belt is flopping around under the plastic cover on the front of the engine.

We pulled the cover and holy crap, it's the timing belt. Luckily it's not horrible, but I'm just not going to drive and order a new one. Since we were digging around anyway, we discovered that the power steering belt was all gross, as well.

Sorry, another question regarding the timing belt. I'm looking at parts online, and there is a kit that includes the water pump as well as all the timing belt things. The price difference between the timing belt + water pump and the one without is negligible. You guys think it might be worth it to do the water pump, as well? I haven't noticed any leaks or anything, but is it an easy enough job where I may as well do it since I'm doing a weekends' worth of work anyway? I replaced the pump on my Jeep before, and that wasn't too horrid, but they're different engines. Thanks for all your help!

EDIT: Upon reading the how to in the FAQ, it suggests you may as well do so if the engine has some miles on it. I'll double check which pump it is and go ahead and and do it.

chapstickaddict wrote:Sorry, another question regarding the timing belt. I'm looking at parts online, and there is a kit that includes the water pump as well as all the timing belt things. The price difference between the timing belt + water pump and the one without is negligible. You guys think it might be worth it to do the water pump, as well? I haven't noticed any leaks or anything, but is it an easy enough job where I may as well do it since I'm doing a weekends' worth of work anyway? I replaced the pump on my Jeep before, and that wasn't too horrid, but they're different engines. Thanks for all your help!

EDIT: Upon reading the how to in the FAQ, it suggests you may as well do so if the engine has some miles on it. I'll double check which pump it is and go ahead and and do it.

Do the water pump and buy a timing belt tensioner while you are at it. Good luck!!

Thanks! I can't do the work until my next paycheck, since I had a school conference that took a chunk of money out of my already lean students' paycheck. I'm looking forward to getting this fixed, though, so I drive my darn car! Poor thing has been just sitting around for days.

So I'm looking at kits, and some don't seem to include the tensioner. Others do, and the photo is like a small cylindrical dealie. Is this the tensioner I should pick up, then?
This is one with a tensioner

Without

chapstickaddict wrote:Thanks! I can't do the work until my next paycheck, since I had a school conference that took a chunk of money out of my already lean students' paycheck. I'm looking forward to getting this fixed, though, so I drive my darn car! Poor thing has been just sitting around for days.

So I'm looking at kits, and some don't seem to include the tensioner. Others do, and the photo is like a small cylindrical dealie. Is this the tensioner I should pick up, then?
This is one with a tensioner

Without

That is the tensioner you need.

Thank you! I ordered it and came into some money so some other stuff as well. Looking forward to, you know, driving.