31 replies to this topic

[Black.Ghost]

When I started my car this evening on the way home from work, the engine (or at least the direction of the engine) was making a weird rattling like noise. A quick google and I found this:

 

 

This is pretty much spot on sound wise. Its definitely engine speed and not vehicle speed related. The car is on 73k, and I am going to give it a full service (which will probably be this weekend now). The comments on the YouTube post are less than helpful as everyone just starts trolling. 

 

Does anyone have any idea what it might be? It seems to be coming from around the timing belt area from a quick listen, but it was dark and I couldn't see anything. 

 

I believe unrelated to this, the speedo has just died for no apparent reason as well. Just for a few seconds, and then it comes back to life. It seems to be accurate enough when working but for a few seconds just dropped to zero and stayed there. 

 

Any help on either issue much appreciated. 

 

Edit: I should mentioned, its a 2002 car on 73k, and its a 1.8 Zetec.

Edited by Black.Ghost, 28 October 2014 - 07:37 PM.

[ANON]

without watching the video as youtube sound is normally terrible they have bloody awful tensioner/idler pulleys and prone to little end rattle.

[Wise Old Elf]

I had a rattle on my Focus TDCI which was not as loud as that. I stripped off the covers and the water pump was leaking which killed the belt tensioner. 

Edited by Wise Old Elf, 28 October 2014 - 07:45 PM.

[Black.Ghost]

That makes sense, I did notice some leaked fluid under the car but couldn't work out what it was or where it was coming from. It might be the bike to work for me tomorrow.

[The Matt]

Check timing belt idlers and tensioner asap. My gf's idler had a little gap in it, belt slipped, 8 exhaust valves bent.

But that one in the video sounds more top end. Does it get louder or quieter as you lift off?

[Black.Ghost]

Quieter as you lift off. Louder as you accelerate. Itskind of rhythmic; its almost like something catches every turn of the belt. It certainly sounds like it is coming from belt area so I'll have a look this weekend. 

[M J W J]

It sounds like either the water pump or tensioner. My dad had to have these done on his focus TDCI about 15k miles earlier than ford said it needed to be done.

 

Ford claim 100k miles or 10 years for a belt to be changed. This is way too long so if you haven't had them done I would do both the auxilary belt and the timing belt. If you read a haynes manual for a focus it says 37.5k miles or 4 years, which ever is earlier.

[minimanclive]

The water pump sounds noisy in that clip. The speedo problem is the speed sensor in the gearbox usually if the other dials are OK. I've got a 98 focus with an intermittent speedo too.

[The Matt]

The speedo....is it just the speedo that switches off intermittently or is it the whole cluster?

Ours used to have the whole cluster turn off, then all readings go to max (speed, revs, temp and fuel) then it'd return to normal. Only really did it a few times a month, for a second at a time. But they do also have speed send or issues as mentioned above.

I still think they're a great car though.

[Black.Ghost]

No it was just the speedo. I'm not so worried about that but it's pretty much ruined my weekend plans to go to Bath. I can still go but it gives me no time to fix the car with the dark nights now.

[Chance]

I thought you were keeping the rover?

[Black.Ghost]

I am. It's still on the drive. It's just waiting for me to fix it! Then the Focus will be sold.

[Chance]

Ohh like me...I got 3cars...one actually legally on the road

I need a kick up the arse to get them sorted out!!

[Black.Ghost]

Exactly the same! I want even more but having a fleet already not on the road is really not helping my cause!

I really want to go to Bath this weekend as well as I haven't been out drinking with my mates in ages but I really need to fix these damn cars! I do have a light in the garage so once some stuff has sold I can move things around a bit and hopefully be able to work in the evenings.

[Black.Ghost]

Ok I have reserved a new water pump, timing belt kit and a drive belt kit for this. I am planning on collecting and doing all this on Sunday, as well as coming back from Bath to Bedford, and watching United beat City. All before it gets dark. And with a hangover, probably. Should be a good day! Then the weekend after is a 3 sayer for me - so my plan is fix the Rover and the Mini and have all 3 cars back on the road, and freshly serviced.

 

Edit - Are there any specialist tools I am going to need for this? If I don't need any of the bits, I'll just return them and if I need more bits then it will just have to wait until the Monday!

Edited by Black.Ghost, 29 October 2014 - 11:41 PM.