2002 Mercury Sable Mercury Sable LS 24 valve DOHC

Tiny
DOWNS3
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
Theres is a noise coming from the engine right near the oil cap the noise didn't start until about a week after I changed the serpentine belt and the belt for the water pump. When the noise began it sounded like the automatic belt tensioner for the serpentine belt so I replaced it but its still making the noise and I cant figure out wht it is I have checked all my fluids and I also opened the cap while the car was running to make sure the oil was getting to the top end of the motor lubing the timing chain.
Sunday, January 12th, 2014 AT 4:30 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,176 POSTS
I stepped outside but couldn't hear it. Your engine must not be running now. What kind of noise are you hearing? Does it change with engine speed or when you shift into "drive"?
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Sunday, January 12th, 2014 AT 5:05 PM
Tiny
DOWNS3
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The noise seems to not be as loud when you are driving but it seems to get louder the colder it is outside it sounds as if there is no oil getting to the top end but when I open the oil cap with the engine running yo can see the oil splashing aruond
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Sunday, January 12th, 2014 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,176 POSTS
Well, I have to guess at what it sounds like, so one possibility is low oil pressure causing the lash adjusters to not pump up. You'll hear the clicking of the rocker arms but there can still be plenty of oil flowing throughout the rest of the engine. That pertains to the double overhead camshaft engine. If you have the single-cam engine, they use the old-style lifters. The clicking will be down lower in the engine.

Both engines have a timing chain that will stretch from high mileage and can rattle against the cover. You'll hear that mostly on the passenger side of the engine.

A connecting rod knock is a deeper knock, both in pitch and location.

Loose torque converter bolts will cause a metallic banging noise that may change when shifting to "drive".
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Sunday, January 12th, 2014 AT 8:16 PM

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