DOHC ZC 1.6

This noise has gotten progressively worse throughout the week and I haven't the slightest idea of what it could be. The car runs fine, temp is ok and it idles right at about 750RPMs with no bogging. I checked all fluids and everything is A-OK.

You know how when you put your car in reverse and back up a ways....well the sound is very similar to that. Kinda like a whirring can opener sound or one of those power wheels cars that they sell at the toy stores. It's freakin me out.

It happens whether or not I am in gear. I hear it at idle and when I press the gas it reponds with the throttle and gets louder.

Now I also smell something burning(literally smells like burnt food) but it could just be my plastic liningin my fender wells because I recently put on some 195 60 14 tires and they slightly rub...but I am not certain if this is a symptom of the motor noise.

If anyone can throw me some ideas or possibilites as to what it could be I would greatly appreciate it. I am afraid something is going to seize up as I am going down the freeway....maybe I am just paranoid....I dunno This is my only car for work right now and I can't afford to have it break down on me. I'd like to nip it in the bud before it gets worse.

 

This may be sort of random but I would check all the belts and if you have already done that then the only thing remaining that I can think of is the distributor. When my dist was going out it would make kind of a squalling noise as the bearing was going out and it would increase as I increased the throttle (like you are experiencing).

 

Well, I went outside just now and turned the car on and it still made the noise whether I pressed the clutch in or not. So atleast I know that it's not tranny related.

Also when I let it idle the rpms stay constant with no bouncing but I hear something faintly loose....like a light rattle...then it goes away for a few secs...then comes back...then goes away...

but when I press the gas of course you can't hear it.

So you think it may be my distributor? The ZC uses a normal CRX distributor right? I have the parts list but it's outside and I am already in my pajamas

Thanks for the info. Anyone else?

 

Lol, yea I'd open up the dist and look for some reddish orange dust otherwise it could be anything else.

 

Well, I popped the hood today and I still couldn't tell where the noise was coing from so I got my Mom's old stethascope(sp?)and I held it up against several of the possible culprits(distributor, alternator, engine valve cover).

Turns out it was my AC Tensioner Pulley. I went to the junkyard and pulled one off of one of their old motors and swapped it out. The one I had in there was turning with the belt but there was no way in hell I could turn it by hand. The replacement pulley made a huge difference. Not only was it quiet but my RPMS wouldn't take a drastic dive after releasing the throttle. At first I thought it was because I had a lightened flywheel but now I realize that the faulty pulley was more of a hinderance than anything. Now the engine feels a little more peppy and the RPM's come down slower.

So take note, guys. If you hear a sound like this it may very well be your AC tensioner pulley(if you have AC)