3.8 ecotec

[mr j-man]

hey guys!

Just wanting to what the hell is that common noise is that comes from the front of the motor on every single 3.8 ecotec engine...it sounds like a noisy bearing or something....mine is just starting to make it now after all these years...and it only makes the noise when you pull up to traffic lights. and are there any ways to fix it
Cheers

[ChoCo94]

is it like something is vibrating against the body like the pipe? if so because mine has got it as well it is rather annoying and i would like to be able to fix it or at least stop it

[edals]

Hey Mate, My Ecotec Did the same thing, It was the Belt Pully Just above the aircon, known fault, If not that will be the Belt Tensioner & Pully wheel

[Admiral_Awesome]

hey guys!

Just wanting to what the hell is that common noise is that comes from the front of the motor on every single 3.8 ecotec engine...it sounds like a noisy bearing or something....mine is just starting to make it now after all these years...and it only makes the noise when you pull up to traffic lights. and are there any ways to fix it
Cheers

ahhh yes i have this same problem!

[Proman]

harmonic balancer/Crankshaft pulley

[maldotcom2]

None of the above. I rebuilt the entire engine with new everything and it made the same noise.

[delcowizzid]

its normally a slapping timing chain or missing tensioner but balance shaft gears when worn make the same noise too

[HamaTime™]

+ 1 to the timing chain/tensioner pulley.

[maldotcom2]

Nope. Maybe you guys are talking about a separate noise. I'm running a double row timing chain, no tensioner and obviously no balance shaft. It still makes the ecotec "tick". It has to either be something to do with valve train geometry or extractors.

[Statey777]

get a piece of hose and put it to your ear and the other end on everything listed or anything u can think of that cold make that noise it will locate ur tick. same deal for finding exhaust leaks in a particular spot,works a treat!!!
in the collector part of the extractors it will make a tick as the gasses hit together sounds really odd the first time i heard it, i always think there is an exhaust leak or tick in the engine. but the hose tells all

[smurfman]

get a piece of hose and put it to your ear and the other end on everything listed or anything u can think of that cold make that noise it will locate ur tick. same deal for finding exhaust leaks in a particular spot,works a treat!!!
in the collector part of the extractors it will make a tick as the gasses hit together sounds really odd the first time i heard it, i always think there is an exhaust leak or tick in the engine. but the hose tells all

that is quite possibly genius i would do that

[GTP 85]

If it's sort of a light ringing sound it will be the bearings flogging out on one of the idler pullies. It's quite a common sound on VT's, and some vs's i reckon

[db_notso]

take the drive belt off and see if noise goes away if it does its one of the idlers
if it doesnt may be timing chain slap NORMAL
or try thicker oil may be too low for your lifters common problem

[mr j-man]

thanks guys all info was great!
it is definately a ringing/ bearing sound at front of motor.
i will have to test every friggin pulley and bearing out....
it never does it whilst in neutral or park...only when in drive at a stand still!
cheers