Cam pulley whine.....need help ASAP!

[Hardwareman]

Well I found an oil leak I had and I was right, it was at my oil pump body housing where it mates to the block.

However, I've had this whine sound and I thought it was my water pump. After removing the fan, shroud, and serpentine belt I started the engine and low and behold the whine is coming from the camshaft sprocket. It does appear there is a small amount of fluid coming from behind the cam pulley but not enough to leak yet so while I'm there I'm going to replace it.

My question is: Is my cam bearing bad? Please tell me no!

Could it be making that sound from a bad seal?

Thanks, I'll post up some pics when I remove the timing belt and pulleys.



Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Ok well went out and took some pics of it:

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In this last photo you can't really see the oil anymore, but it runs over the top section of that copper gasket. I guess it's seeping through somehow. I'm more concerned with the camshaft right now though because I hope it's not a bearing. It's more like a moaning/squeek sound coming from there. So I ask you: Can a damaged seal cause a sound like that? Please!

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Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Oh, I forgot to mention:

The sound does go away and is not always there. It's there mostly when the engine is first started and then goes away after it's been running for a while. If that means anything? Thanks.



Allen

 

[Mark_88]

Not sure if this applies to your cam...but on my 88 I had to wrap the bolt with teflon tape before installing it...otherwise the oil will get pas the bolt and leak all over the area...

The squeaking could be break-in noise but it should go away...if not then you may have an oiling problem somewhere...

 

[skippy]

Well I found an oil leak I had and I was right, it was at my oil pump body housing where it mates to the block.

However, I've had this whine sound and I thought it was my water pump. After removing the fan, shroud, and serpentine belt I started the engine and low and behold the whine is coming from the camshaft sprocket. It does appear there is a small amount of fluid coming from behind the cam pulley but not enough to leak yet so while I'm there I'm going to replace it.

My question is: Is my cam bearing bad? Please tell me no!

Could it be making that sound from a bad seal?

Thanks, I'll post up some pics when I remove the timing belt and pulleys.



Allen

just isn't your month is it?get a priest to say a few words over your beloved truck.

 

[Hardwareman]

just isn't your month is it?get a priest to say a few words over your beloved truck.

DUDE! You're telling me!

It's been like this for a long time with this thing. Everytime I fix one thing another goes wrong. Actually it's just been the oil leaks. I fixed the lower end and then everything else was leaking.....haha

Mark_88 : Yeah, that's what it says to do to mine in the manual too! After you installed it with the tape did it leak? Thanks



Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Ok well I pulled the oil pump and applied BLACK RTV to the gasket, both where the pump meets the gasket and where the gasket meets the block. God I hope that seals it.

Plus I just pulled the old original camshaft oil seal and it was warped so I'm hoping that was the cause of the noise. If not then it has to be a bearing.

Hey Mark, I have'nt installed the cam oil seal yet. It's been making noise so that's why I'm looking.



Allen

 

[skippy]

Ok well I pulled the oil pump and applied BLACK RTV to the gasket, both where the pump meets the gasket and where the gasket meets the block. God I hope that seals it.

Plus I just pulled the old original camshaft oil seal and it was warped so I'm hoping that was the cause of the noise. If not then it has to be a bearing.

Hey Mark, I have'nt installed the cam oil seal yet. It's been making noise so that's why I'm looking.



Allen

allen,i am not trying to insult you by asking,but is the pcv valve working ok?

 

[Hardwareman]

Yes, and I installed a new line there as well when I had the engine out. I don't take it as an insult, but thanks for being considerate about it...haha

I'm guessing that you were thinking my crankcase was'nt breathing properly?

It's definitely coming from the cam pulley area. I don't see how a seal could make a moaning sound though, but you never know. My wife's actually picking it up for me right now as I type this.

I was thinking it could be the bearing but would'nt it make noise all the time? Thanks.



Allen

 

[Hardwareman]

Ok, put everything back together and I still see a leak at the oil pump. The camshaft seal works great, but the oil pump's still got a small leak.

It turns out I've been wasting my time because there's a small hairline crack in the oil pump body so no matter what I do for a gasket, it's going to leak.

Anyone have a cheap oil pump for a 95 and later 2.3 for sale.....for cheap? Thanks.




Allen

 

[Mark_88]

Good to hear you found the problem...but not good I guess...

When I installed the seal on mine...IIRC...you're supposed to put some oil on it before hammering it into place...mine never squeaked but I got a gusher from not having tape on the bolt...didn't leak after I removed it and taped it...

At least you're on the right track to finishing things off...always something to double-check...I'm still double-checking everything I've done, and after a complete tear down/restore that's quite a bit...

You might try a wrecking yard for the oil pump if you haven't already done so...the place I go to will remove it if I ask them nicely...but they tack on a few extra dollars to the price...this time of year with the mud and snow in the yards it's worth it...guess you don't get that down your way though...

 

[Hardwareman]

Thanks, I'm actually not sure now if it's the camshaft or the timing belt tensioner. I can't really stick anything there to hear because they're both spinning.

I think I'm going to replace the belt tensioner though because it's super old. I would think the cam bearings would make a different noise but I guess I'll know for sure if I change out the tensioner.

EDIT: Yeah, I dabbed a little grease on it before I tapped it in, and put some teflon on the threads. It does'nt appear to be leaking anymore like in the above pic.

Allen

 

[Ike4x4]

did you ever find a solution to your problem? I think I'm in the same boat with a 96