I have a strange sound coming from the engine compartment. I don't know if it's grinding or a growling sound. It gets more pronounced with the AC compressor on. I don't know if its coming from the compressor or if its internal to the engine. If the engine has some sort of internal problem would that be worsened by the compressor on.

With the belt running everything I can't isolate the compressor to see if thats it for sure. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

take off the compressor belt and see if you still have the noise.

but realize isolating a random noise is really hard on the internet... can't hear it or where it's coming from

 

Take the A/c belt off and see if the noise is gone like sapporo had said,But also ck all the bolts going to the bracket too. I have seen some loose bolt and cause grinding type noise.

 

I have taken all the belts off and ran the engine and the noise is still
there. Sounds like a rumbling sound. Maybe towards the back of the engine. When I increase speed it tends to stop. Also interesting that if I turn the steering wheel it increases the noise somewhat. Also louder with
the AC running. Is the water pump run from the timing belt on this one. Could it be the water pump bearings.

Seems like it maybe coming from the backside valve cover area.

 

Check the torque conveter bolts,they could be loose.

 

IDK how their could be a change of noise with no belts as you turn the wheel?


I'm surprise master tech didn't answer your question about the water pump run off the timing belt.. the answer is yes.

 

I don't how the noise can change when turnning the steering with all the belts off or with the a/c turn on. Unless the belt where put back on. The member also said the sound they are hearing, could be coming around the back end of the engine near the valve covers.Thats why i recommended checking the torque converter bolts.Now if the member had said the sound was coming from the front,i would have recommend to isolate the sound in the front. Sorry if i didn't answer the timing belt question. I recommend that if you don't found any problem soon, Have it taken to a shop and have it inspected.

 

I am sorry the noise is there with the belts off, when i put them back on and turn
the steering or turn ac on the sound gets louder, but only till I increase engine rpms then it tends to decrease. when I say the back of the engine I mean towards the firewall. Do I have to remove trans to get to the torque converter bolts?

 

the torque converter bolts need to be removed to remove the transmission. so no you don't need to remove the transmission to access the bolts, however, you can tell really easy if the noise is comming from the converter by getting under the van while it's running and just touch the dust cover. if they are loose you'll feel it through the cover. unless you had the transmission replaced recently, it's doubtful to be your problem.

noises are VERY difficult to diagnose via the internet. you really should have someone with mechanical background have a look at it. just to help you confirm what you are hearing

 

I finally got the money to get it into a shop to take a look and it turns out to be a cracked flywheel.

Case solved