Timing belt break-in noise?

turbo510 · 04-05-2012, 11:22 AM

I just changed the T-belt on my 12V for the first time, so I am only accustomed to the noises from an old timing belt, water pump, and rollers with around 100K on them. First I got spooked by a random tapping noise which suddenly got louder while in my garage, so I switched the ignition off, pulled the belt covers, and re-checked the timing (was fine). This noise turned out to be the wiring sheath for the hood alarm, which I had not clipped back in place, and was being hit by the fan. Then I was worried by a little chattering sound, which after driving a few miles, has gone away. Now I'm thinking it was just the new Conti belt making noise on the sprockets. Has anyone else noticed new belts making any noise until bedding in?

4Driver4 · 04-05-2012, 01:29 PM

Timing belts do not have a break-in period. Is it too tight?

turbo510 · 04-05-2012, 03:01 PM

No, if anything adjusted to be on the slightly looser-side. I was almost ready to snug it a little, but I re-checked this morning; it turns right up to 90 degrees between water pump pulley and bank 1 sprocket, without too much effort, much harder to twist after that. I'll run it again tonight and see if the noise is still gone.

mtroxel · 04-05-2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo510

Then I was worried by a little chattering sound, which after driving a few miles, has gone away. Now I'm thinking it was just the new Conti belt making noise on the sprockets. Has anyone else noticed new belts making any noise until bedding in?

I did the belt, pulleys, stat and w pump on my 12v a few years ago. I had a little sound too. Wasn't the belt, the aftermarket w pump stuck out another 1/16 of an inch and just barely touched the back of the fan clutch bracket. Had to pull it back off and grind a little off the back of that bracket. Was fine after that.

turbo510 · 04-06-2012, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the hint, I'll have a look.

turbo510 · 04-08-2012, 04:35 PM

Update: After some run time, the engine now sounds normal and pretty good in my opinion for a 220,000 mile motor. Just nerves I guess, and this TB job was a warm-up for the '05 3.0 that is due next.

04-05-2012, 01:29 PM	#2
4Driver4 Tech Guru Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 32,385	Timing belts do not have a break-in period. Is it too tight? __________________ 4Driver4 Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional. 2005 A6 Sedan Q 3.2 (wife's whip) 2000 A4 Avant Q 2.8 (daily driver) 1980 VW Scirocco (mid-life crisis car) 1983 Mazda RX-7 (revolutionary sports car) 2003 Mini Cooper S (just because) 1995 Mazda Miata, Superdupercharged(anti-Audi) 1999 Mazda Miata SSB (track beotch, no plate) 2003 GMC Yukon Denali XL (the anti-earth) 2004 Dodge Dakota (hey, at least it's stick and 4x4)

04-05-2012, 03:01 PM	#3
turbo510 AudiWorld Senior Member 2007 Volkswagen Touareg My Garage Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Yorba Linda CA Posts: 1,444	No, if anything adjusted to be on the slightly looser-side. I was almost ready to snug it a little, but I re-checked this morning; it turns right up to 90 degrees between water pump pulley and bank 1 sprocket, without too much effort, much harder to twist after that. I'll run it again tonight and see if the noise is still gone. __________________ 1996 Audi A4 2.8 1972 Datsun 510

04-06-2012, 10:38 AM	#5
turbo510 AudiWorld Senior Member 2007 Volkswagen Touareg My Garage Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Yorba Linda CA Posts: 1,444	Thanks for the hint, I'll have a look. __________________ 1996 Audi A4 2.8 1972 Datsun 510

04-08-2012, 04:35 PM	#6
turbo510 AudiWorld Senior Member 2007 Volkswagen Touareg My Garage Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Yorba Linda CA Posts: 1,444	Update: After some run time, the engine now sounds normal and pretty good in my opinion for a 220,000 mile motor. Just nerves I guess, and this TB job was a warm-up for the '05 3.0 that is due next. __________________ 1996 Audi A4 2.8 1972 Datsun 510

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