I shared a video where you might catch the sound. It’s quieter than when I first start the car in the morning. This video was filmed after a few miles of driving, but now there’s this scratching or clicking noise. I have a 2015 Ford Fiesta SE. We just changed the battery, but I know I need oil and an oil change; just haven’t had the funds. I got a diagnostic from AutoZone, and it only showed I need a new catalytic converter. Now this new sound started, and I don’t know much about cars, plus I can’t afford to have someone check it. It sounds like it’s coming from where the belt is, and I’m curious if that’s the problem, but I’m not sure since I don’t have much knowledge about this stuff. Any help would be great.
You should change the timing gear as soon as you can
Adeline said:
You should change the timing gear as soon as you can
Definitely this. The noise sounds worse than mine did when I had it done. The mechanic said mine was barely hanging on. If it falls off, it could ruin the engine because of the valves hitting the pistons. Oh, and replace the water pump while you’re at it.
Adeline said:
You should change the timing gear as soon as you can
I’m trying to figure that out. Is that the crankshaft gear, or would I need the timing belt and everything else too?
@Peyton
Yeah, it’s the timing belt and everything else. How much have you driven since it was last changed?
Adeline said:
@Peyton
Yeah, it’s the timing belt and everything else. How much have you driven since it was last changed?
I’ve never changed it.
Adeline said:
@Peyton
Yeah, it’s the timing belt and everything else. How much have you driven since it was last changed?
I’ve never changed it.
That’s your answer. You should do it quickly. If the belt snaps, your engine will be damaged in seconds.
@Adeline
What’s your total mileage and how far have you driven it recently?
Also, my engine has been really loud since I can remember. I’ve had this car for five years and it never had issues until now. It feels like everything is going wrong at the worst time in my life.
You should turn that off and leave it off until you can have someone check it. If it’s related to the timing belt and it fails, you could need an engine rebuild. If it’s just the alternator bearings, that’s not as serious, but you need it checked out.
@Cassidy
I live in my car and have to get to work. It’s not a long drive, and I don’t turn the car on overnight. I’m hoping to find someone who can look at it since I can’t afford to take it anywhere. It’s a tough situation.
@Peyton
That’s really not a good situation.
The alternator, water pump, and timing belt could be making that noise. If turning the A/C on or off doesn’t change it, then you can rule that out. It sounds like the timing belt might be rubbing against the cover, and you should stop driving it if you can. The timing belt, pulley, and water pump are usually replaced together. My garage charged around $800 for the full service.
@Gabriel
You have to get it changed. It’ll cost some money, but if you don’t want to lose your car, please do it. Here in Italy, I paid about 600 euros for the full service.
It could be the serpentine belt accessory bearing or the timing belt. You should get it checked out quickly. If that timing belt snaps, your engine will be done for, and not in a good way. If it’s just the accessory bearing, it won’t be so bad, but you could have issues with steering or your battery dying quickly. Definitely get it looked at as soon as possible, and if you think it’s a timing issue, try to have it towed.
Like others said, you need to find out if the timing belt is failing. It’s a complicated repair, and if you mess it up, it can be an expensive mistake. The timing belt keeps internal engine parts from colliding with each other. If you look at the top of the engine, on the driver’s side, you’ll see a black cover with circles. That’s the timing belt cover. Towards the back, there should be a rubber tab that you can unhook to see part of the belt for inspection. If you look in there and the sound gets louder, it’s likely the timing belt.
You need to change your timing belt, accessory belt, and water pump. There’s a specific rattle that indicates a problem, and that’s what mine did before it snapped. Don’t wait; stop driving it now. It’s in bad shape. I had to pay 2.6k because they charged me for doing it myself. It’s not an easy fix, and it requires special timing tools.
Do you have A/C? It looks like you do. Try switching it off to see if the noise goes away. It could be an issue with your A/C compressor. When it kicks in, it makes a whining sound, and when it’s off, it stops. If you turn off the A/C and the sound doesn’t return, then it’s likely your A/C compressor.
@Malik
My A/C has never worked because it hasn’t blown cold air since I’ve had the car.