Hi. Just one week ago I bought a nice 1998 626 with the V6 engine. Today it starts making noises:

A constant low-level rattling/clattering sound. It's irregular, not a steady click.
Plus every 5 or 6 seconds there's a bit of a different,louder clicking sound or two.
I know the sources of these sounds are notoriously hard to locate, but all this SEEMSto be happening right under the valve cover.

And unless I'm mistaken it seems to be there only when idling, and goes away when I start moving.

No engine lights are coming on. No coolant leaking.

Obviously I have to take it in to get looked at. But I wonder if anyone recognizes what's happening from this description.

Thanks!
Stewart in Winnipeg

 

Kind of sounds like camshaft friction gear spring noise. Older V6 in the 626 very notorious for this noise. If the noise seems to be more concentrated on the right bank of engine, cylinders closer to the rear of vehicle and up at the front of engine by the drive belts then would be willing to bet that is what it is. Noise should become elevated as rpms are raised a little and then virtually go away at above 2500 rpm.

 

Thank you babyhuey. Maybe you've identified the problem. Here's a little more. I started the car and listened while taking it up to 2,500 rpm in neutral. Seems like what I called the "constant low-level rattle" stays exactly the same all the way up to 2,500. I guess other sounds just masked it from me when I was not listening closely. But the louder intermittent clicking/clattering does go away completely at higher revs, before 2,500 by the way. That sound is alsoa little MORE frequent when I brake and put the car in gear, thus lowering the revs.

If it is the camshaft friction gear I've seen other posts online that suggest it's not a serious problem, more like just a nuisance. Do you agree?

Also, any idea on approximate repair cost if it is the friction gear?

Thanks very much.
Stewart
Winnipeg

 

The constant low level noise you are describing does sound to be the friction gear springs. It is not a serious problem as you have read but really just an annoying nuisance thing. Not sure of the price as this is not my end of the equation but will see what I can find out. The intermittent clicking/clattering noise is of a bit more concern to me at this point. Am suspecting that you may have a collapsed timing belt tensioner that is allowing the timing belt to contact the timing covers and making the noise you are describing. If at all possible see if you can isolate this noise to the front engine area. If this is indeed the case and the hydraulic timing belt tensioner has collapsed then you run the risk of belt jumping and engine will stop running when this happens. No engine damage as engine is clearance but just that you will be stuck where ever this happens.

 

And the winner is . . . . . . . . . . . Alternator bearings!

 

How Do?

Timing belt tensioner? Very possible. Sloppy drive belt pully? check for tight.Hell could be bad plug or loose plug wire.