Squeel from VCT hub

[2TonCat]

Hey guys, I'm new here :)

I just bought a 2000 ZX2-S/R with 60k miles, and am having a slight issue. Hopefully you guys will be able to help me out.

I tried to run a search for this, but turned up nothing (and it wouldn't let me search for 'vct' :) )

After a slight warmup, and when the car is in the lower rpm ranges (idle-1500), there is a squeelin noise that appears to be comming from the VCT kickout in the cam gear cover (Listened to it with a mechanic's stethiscope). The noise goes away when the engine is revved, and then stays gone for a few secconds before returning.

Has anyone dealt with this before?

Thanks,
-Ryan

[mechtech]

Maybe it's on the OTHER side of the system. Like in the cam belt and bearing side.
Yank the upper cover and check it out again [unless you are absolutely certain].

[2TonCat]

Took the cover off as you suggested. It's comming from the VCT side unfortunately :(

I purchased this car yesterday, so I don't know the mechanical history of it. I wish I did :/

Here's a video of the issue. Listen for what sounds like a turkey call :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94SDXADqzyk

[ZX2Fast]

That could also be the bearing in the upper idler pulley. They are close enough together to be confused.

[pdwighty]

i think this happened to my car today... litterally! im thinking its ether the idler pully or the cam gears.... really sounds like its from the cam gears tho....

[2TonCat]

With the Mechanic's stethiscope, the idler didn't sound abnormal, but I could be wrong.

I took the S/R up to Ford earlier tonight. They're going to take a look at it tomorrow. I'll let you guys know what they think it is. I'd still like to hear from anybody else who's seen this! 8)

It might not be an issue really... It quiets down after driving it for a while... but being that it's a cam thing, I'd rather not chance it :D

[pdwighty]

mine was started getting louder and squeeling more coming so im starting to beleave its a bearing or belt.

[2TonCat]

Ok, I'll be bringing the escort home.

Bob Sight Ford in Lee's Summit, mo gets a big FU :flipa:

I took it up for diagnostics, and they told me what I told them "It's comming from the timing belt area".... No shit? Really? Isn't that... What I told them? Hell, my diagnostic was more specific than theirs! I'm going to start charging $80 an hour for this shit I guess! It makes me wonder if they even looked it it!

They say it's going to cost $600 for taking it apart to find the problem. This figure does not include parts, labor to fix the issue, or putting it back togeather. On top of that, they can't get it even torn down until next week. No thank you.

I'm bringing it home and either taking it somewhere else, or fixing it myself.

[mechtech]

They normally charge a flat $90 to diagnose a problem. If it takes 5 minuts or 5 hours.
Tell them they did NOT diagnose the problem, they just repeated what you said that a problem existed.
Make them honor their policy. They didn't do anything.

[2TonCat]

That's what I did, and they dropped the charge :D

Cheers!

[pdwighty]

have you found out what it is yet? i havn't

[2TonCat]

have you found out what it is yet? i havn't

Not quite yet man. I'm going to take it up to a friend of a friend's shop this weekend. We both suspect the VCT hub being worn. He wants to listen to it before we do anything, and will be busy for the next 2 weeks. After that, I'll probably reblace the whole hub.

[ZX2BASSER]

hey, did you ever find out what made that noise? if you did i would like to know myself cause i have the same problem.