[soccerguy5]

"Bag Of Marbles" noise (Not engine knock)

01 Sable OHV (U engine) Just had alternator/belt replaced. Car has always had slight ping only on hard accel, I know what that is. Suddenly, every startup for the first ten minutes only, I get a very pronounced bag of marbles noise upon low speed acceleration. Appears to be from the area of the starter/water pump. Only lasts first ten minutes. It is not engine ping. 155K mi. Car runs great otherwise. Any ideas?

 

[tonyroc14]

Soccer ball in the crank case?

 

[austex04]

Could be a defective alternator, like the bearings already went bad. Is it a rebuilt, aftermarket alternator? Or the belt tensioner is bad?

 

[sheila]

One of the drive pulley bearings failing?

 

[soccerguy5]

Could be a defective alternator, like the bearings already went bad. Is it a rebuilt, aftermarket alternator? Or the belt tensioner is bad?

Pep Boys Lifetime Warr Rebuild. Ton's of pulley's in the area, how do you diagnose which one?

 

[sheila]

A cheap mech. stethoscope from harbor freight tools, pc. of hose, or a long screwdriver held to ear. Can also remove belt and rotate pulleys by hand to feel for play and roughness. With belt off, you can also start car for a few secs., if noise has disappeared, you know indeed it is caused by one of the belt-driven components.

 

[sheila]

The harbor freight mech. stethoscope is about $2-$3.

 

[tonyroc14]

Or the belt tensioner is bad?

this.

Does the noise get louder/worse with the ac on?

 

[soccerguy5]

A/C on has no impact. Sheila, so with the engine running, I touch the tip of the steth. to each component and listen for a rough sound?

 

[sheila]

Yes, right behind ea. pulley being wary of the belt and no loose clothing, jewelry or hair.