Hey everyone, earlier today I noticed a squeking noise coming from under the hood. It is one of those rather loud obnoxiosly piercing sounds that you hear from old cars ocasionaly. I have narrowed it down to somewhere along the fanbelt route. I think it might be the belt itself getting lose, but im not sure how to tell. Anyone have any tips on how to check if it is the belt? And, how involved is the replacement process for the belt? Thanks.

My 87 300E (103 motor) made a squeeking sraping noise as my water pump was going out.

To check WP, grasp the WP pulley firmly with both hands and with about 20-30 lbs force push and pull up and down. If there is any slack felt (more than a very few thousands) or any noise with the slack you probably have a WP bearing going out. The other symptom mine had was occasional water leakage overnight. A small 4-6 inch puddle of water on the garage floor. Soon both the noise increased and the water leaked more.

If yours is replaced; you should also check the serp. belt, the belt tensioner, the tensioner shock and the bushing in the shock. There are a lot of posts on DIY , use a search if you plan to do it yourself. If there is any slack in the tens. shock or the bushing in the shock it will soon break your belt tensioner, (read $$$), so that would create a re-do of most of the labor cost in the WP replacement. Better to do it right than twice, $$$$

Partsshop here has the parts right priced..
but check with your shop to see if they will install your parts purchased here.

Go DIY if you can............Its a little difficult but do-able ........and you have to have some flex sockets and extensions. Read the posts here. Good luck, DanielW

hrmm... I forgot to mention something before. When I turn my car on, well, ive only noticed then when I leave school, so at 4 in the evening after the car is sitting for a good 7 hours, when I turn the car on I can hear a rubbing noise coming from the engine. It is not continuous, but turns off and on about twice a second. After a few seconds, it goes away.... does this further point to the waterpump?

harmonic balancer problems -- the archives have some useful information, just in case you have that peculiar problem.

thankyou very much, I will read up on the waterpump and harmonic balancer and see if I can't get this thing straightened out!

I have found that water pumps do tend to make the noise you are describing as the bearings and seal crap out.

Check for water leaks at the pump and the wiggle the water pump pulley works. You wiggle to feel for play in the shaft that comes out of the water pump and the pulley is bolted to, any play (wiggle) and the pump will need attention.

Joel

Hey everyone. It seems as if the squeking has stopped. It happened yesterday while the car was parked on the driveway (rather steep), perhaps it was only a fluke. If it comes back, I will look at the water pump, but, worst case scenario, if the pump dies, what would happen? Would I have some time to shut down the car before all kinds of damage gets done? Thanks!

Not a good thing to happen but not worst.

I've had them crap out and water and steam everywhere. I've been told that coolant can actually burn. If that's the case problem could be grave.

Also, if it crapps out and you don't notice (for what ever reason there is not steam) your temp gage climbing, you know the obvious answer there. Engines goes from hummmmm to clunk-stop. Saw a guy seize a taurus, not a pretty thing.

His wife was driving and when I asked her did she notice the temp rise she said yes but the car was running ok so she figured it was no big deal.

I never saw coolant boil like that, scary sight, but not too scary because it was not my car.

Joel

hrrmm alright. As long as I get some warning before (temp guage rising) I can live with it. Thanks!