300E engine sounds like diesel upon cold start
 

Sorry to clutter the board fellas as I recall this might have been discussed recently but could not find the thread after numerous searches.

My 300E sounds just like a diesel on a cold start then totally disappears to a smooth whir after reaching around 50c temp. It's not a metal to metal sound, more like well...... a classic diesel engine sound -- almost like exhaust is coming out of the top of the engine.

For what it's worth, I recently had top of engine off to replace front cover U seal and valve cover gasket. I did not touch the chain, tensioner, or rails. Noise began just after re-assembly.

If someone could point me to that thread I saw or knows a possible solution to this problem please reply!

Thanks!

Iodyn:cool:

This happens to me too. I have a 102 engine. Unfortunately the only thing I can find was the cure for a V8.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/21525-timing-chain-noise-fix.html

Well, a number of things may be causing the noise you describe. One possibility is the plastic distributor cover hitting the fan, (unlikely), others may be something rubbing against the timing chain, or a chain rail out of place. I would take a hard look at the possibility of something being disturbed or out of place during your reassembly. I say this because you state it started after you put it back together. I would take it down again and really take a look at the components up front. Could even be the distributor rotor being incorrectly seated on the cam nose or something loose inside the distributor cap. You will need to locate the noise. Open the hood, start from cold and really look and listen. If it's not an external cause, get a mechanics stethoscope and check the front cover, distributor, etc. Remove the oil filler cap and see if that increases the intensity of the noise. If so, then the culprit is under the valve cover. Good luck..

Thanks Jeff for your reply...
 

.. it is very much appreciated!

I changed the rotor and cap yesterday (it needed it badly) so I don't think that is the problem.

I did notice, however, that the protective cover just behind the bracket/rotor/cap was loose with the distributor cap off. I'm not sure if this protective cover is pressed back secure after locking down the cap or not -- I'm pretty sure it is. Besides, how would that type of noise suddenly disappear after reaching a certain temp?

I did tighten my poly V-belt and it almost sounds like the noise is coming from the air pump (one just above the alternator). Possible scenario is that the belt wasn't grabbing the pump quite all the way and not turning it as fast, but I'm sure I would've heard some slippage noises if that was the case.

I'll do some more investigation. Thank you too Yal for pointing me to that thread.:D

Regards,

Iodyn

'91 300E