[200q20v] Scary Noise- Please Help!

[Phil Rose]

At 12:20 PM -0600 9/1/01, Leeds wrote:
>Hi Folks,
>
>My 91 200q makes a rythmic but not constant noise after driving that seems
>to emanate from the accessory drive/water pump/timing belt area. The timing
>belt only has 20k on it, and the accessory belts are (I believe) pretty
>fresh. My fear is that the water pump may go, taking the timing belt with
>it, causing major internal damage. Can anyone describe noises that indicate
>I should have it flat-bedded to my tech without further driving, versus
>non-terminal noises such as bearings in the alternator that would mean I can
>use the car until I get it to my man who is 35 miles away? I'll be the most
>grateful guy ever. TIA

The "rythmic but not constant" description thows me a bit. By "not 
constant" do you mean that sometimes it's there but sometimes the 
noise is gone (or less loud)? Anyway, my car's also had (does have) 
"rthythmic" noise from that area and I convinced myself it is from 
the hydraulic pump drive-belt. I used a fine spray of water applied 
the various belts (e.g, from Windex bottle) which immediately (as in 
"instantaneously") made the noise disappear for a short while. You 
might try this--even though the belts seem in good condition.

Phil
-- 

Phil Rose				Rochester, NY
'91 200q				mailto:pjrose at frontiernet.net