18r-gu noises. Please help.

[jedrock]

I just got my car (73 celica) started up after it's been sitting for about a month or two. I drove it down to Hawthorne to Pasadena. Everything was good going there but on the way back, right when i exit for my house, is when I started to hear this noise. It is a sort of clanking/rattling/grinding/squeaking noise from the front of the motor. It almost seems as if my fan might need a little WD40 or something. The weird thing is that the noise is only present when the car is idling and gets louder when I step on the gas. After I shift the noise tends to goes away sometimes , but comes back when I come to a stop again. When I accelerate the noise seems to get louder then goes away as I switch gears. I also noticed a "running water" noise when I turned the car off, if that helps.

Has anyone experienced this problem? Or know what's causing this noise? My car didn't seem like I loss any hp, but the noise sounds and seems bad. Please help... Trying to get my car ready for JCCS.

[grotty100]

Check your fanbelt, water pump and water level in the radiator.

[jedrock]

the fluid in the radiator is pretty much full and my fan belt still looks pretty new. what am i looking for with the water pump?

[grotty100]

what am i looking for with the water pump?

The water pump could be the source of the "clanking/rattling/grinding/squeaking" noise.
Grotty.

[jedrock]

The water pump could be the source of the "clanking/rattling/grinding/squeaking" noise.
Grotty.

oh okay... other than listening for the noise, is there any other way i can tell if its my water pump? I forgot to mention.. when i checked my radiator fluid, it was bubbly as if there was soap in there?

[grotty100]

Take off the oil filler cap and turn it over to look at the bottom. If it looks milky then you may have a blown head gasket.

[grotty100]

oh okay... other than listening for the noise, is there any other way i can tell if its my water pump?

If you take a long screwdriver or similar and place your hand over the end, as you would with a screwdriver, then touch the end onto different parts of the motor whilst at the same time placing your ear on the other end, the noise will transfer through to your ear. Just remember that there will be mechanical noises coming from all parts of your motor when running, but if it's a loud noise then you should be able find the source. Please remember to be careful of moving parts.
Cheers.
Grotty.

[SilverRA23]

Timing chains??

[RA35GT]

If it always happens at idle, take of the fan belt. run the engine for a little while, see if the noise is still there or not. (Dont let it run too long obviously).

This will determine whether the noise is internal to the engine or caused by something driven externally.

While the belt is off, you can also manually check the condition of the water pump by cheking for excessive movement in the water pump. (i.e. grab the pulley and move it around).

Rudi

[maurice c]

May seem a little silly but have you checked/ changed your oil lately?

[jedrock]

May seem a little silly but have you checked/ changed your oil lately?

I have checked my oil and it's all at the right levels and is pretty clear.

[Kedderz]

timing chain guides have worn through

[maurice c]

Adjust timing chain tensioner?

[jedrock]

timing chain guides have worn through

How do I check my timing chain guides?

[Spectre]

How do I check my timing chain guides?

Take off your rocker cover.

See the timing chain going around the cams? There are guides on the left and right hand side, and also one between the cams.

The left guide (when your looking at it) can be adjusted by a screw in adjusted, you can'r realy miss it.