Timing Belt Noise

[jrclark32]

I replaced my timing belt, tensioner, and spring, along with the upper and lower timing covers on my '90 Festiva. I have it back together, and it's making a noise like something's rubbing. I took it all apart and put it back together a second time already, and I can't see any evidence of anything. Thoughts??

Here's a link to a video of it running now:

https://youtu.be/o06m-vW2an4

[WmWatt]

Can't see video just now as I'm on a slow dialup connection. Leave the covers off while running the engine for a view of what's happening? With the covers off use a piece of tubing as a stethescope to pinpoint the source of the noise.

[TominMO]

Just pull the top cover first. That is often the source. You can mod the cover so it doesn't rub against the WP pulley. I also cut it off where the lower rear screw goes in, as it's hard to get at. Or just don't use that screw.

[jrclark32]

Just an update (sorry it's been so long)... I took the covers off to look for rubbing, and saw no evidence of that, so I put it all back together. After disassembling it 3 times, I said screw it and just started driving it short distances. The noise got a lot quieter after a few miles, then just intermittent, and went away completely after about 30 miles of driving. I'm still not totally sure what was going on, but apparently things needed to "run in"... She's purring along quietly now.