[99CouGSweetRide]

The guy finally finished my car today, but he had to leave and didn't get a chance to put the fluids in and test the car, so it looks like he's coming back tomorrow because now there's some weird noise coming from inside the engine bay somewhere. When I start the car, there's this constant noise, it kind of sounds like a fan rubbing against something, but it's not like a metal sound, it's more like a noise that you would hear if you hit something that's made of tin, and it happens rapidly. It's driving me and my dad crazy because no matter where you stick your ears around the engine, you hear it, so we can't really tell where it's coming from. Also, the first time they started the car tonight, it still made that whiney sound like the flywheel wasn't even fixed. any clue?

Oh, I also need to know, when you start the car, does the flywheel and starter constantly spin when the car is not moving? Or do they only move when you first start the car and then when you start driving?

Mike

 

[Rick]

Originally posted by: 99CouGSweetRide
Also, the first time they started the car tonight, it still made that whiney sound like the flywheel wasn't even fixed. any clue?

Guess the guy didn't fix it then and he might have loosened something.

Here's my experience with the flywheel:
I sent the car in when it was under warranty 4 times and they didn't know what the noise was (they should have known because it is a very common problem with the Cougar). They replaced my starter twice and that didn't fix it. The noise only happened about once in every 20-30 starts and everytime I tried to show the mechanic it would never do it. Someone I know told me to have them check the flywheel so I told them and that was the problem. When they replaced my flywheel, apparently my starter got loose and it was making a noise I cannot explain. So again, I took it in and they tightened my starter and all was well. It was a huge headache.

 

[99CouGSweetRide]

yea but it's not only when I start the car, it's constantly making a "tap-tap-tap" noise while it's running. The guy said the bad flywheel could have damaged the new starter....well, for anyone who knows about the gear in the starter...my dad showed it to me the other day, and every single 'tooth' on the gear had a little piece missing off one side. But we didn't know if the flywheel caused it, or if it was made that way, because the chipped off pieces were exactly the same size and shape on all the teeth. I got a new starter near the beginning of September...could the flywheel really have damaged it in less than a month?

Mike

 

[DanG]

The starter gear is beveled to aid in engaging on the flywheel/flexplate. This is normal.

A "tap tap tap tap" sound almost sounds like a hydraulic lash adjuster out of tolerance, like the one I had on my 2.5L. It sounded almost identical to rapping your knuckle on the valve cover- Rhythmic tapping, varies with engine speed. It's the cam lobe tapping on the roller- Nothing too huge to be worried about it.

Now, if you're hearing a constant rubbing sound, it's possible that the block/transmission spacer has somehow been bent and is coming into contact with the flywheel.

 

[CougarGT]

didn't get a chance to put the fluids

Running the car with no fluids in the trans is a bad idea. Even if the car is in park, the pump is still turning, or in your case RUNNING DRY.

The starter and the flywheel (FLEXPLATE in your instance) only mesh when the ignition is in "start".

 

[99CouGSweetRide]

both the mechanic and my dad said you have to put the trans fluid in while the car is running...just like when you check the trans fluid the car must be running....the first time they started the car they put the trans fluid in. and what's with this flexplate business, it sure looks like a flywheel.

Mike

 

[CougarGT]

Originally posted by: 99CouGSweetRide
both the mechanic and my dad said you have to put the trans fluid in while the car is running...just like when you check the trans fluid the car must be running....the first time they started the car they put the trans fluid in. and what's with this flexplate business, it sure looks like a flywheel.

Mike

Other than the fact its round, and has a ring gear on it, I see no similarities.

 

[99CouGSweetRide]

well I don't think a square shape would work. And unlike a flexpipe, it's not flexible, so what gives? sorry I'm just taking out my fustrations right now...the whole trans has to be ripped out again because they think the noise is either that aluminum spacer, or we might have bent the bushing that holds the torque converter on. So it's coming back out on Saturday, and I've been without vehicle for 5 days now.

BTW is that the stock flywheel?

Mike

 

[CougarGT]

BTW is that the stock flywheel?

Fidanza 9lbs versus the stock weight of 22lbs

 

[99CouGSweetRide]

Originally posted by: CougarGT

BTW is that the stock flywheel?

Fidanza 9lbs versus the stock weight of 22lbs

that's probably why you see no similarities

Mike