Engine Problems???

[ptgtjoe]

Ok...an update to an earlier post regarding a bird-like noise coming from the engine....took it to two dealers, and at the first they replaced 2 intake gaskets....

Well, last week, I went to start 'er up, and the engine was clacking and chirping like a diesel that ran over a myna bird! I was embarrased to drive it! I took it to another '5 star dealer', and when I got there, the 'bird' noise was down to a tweet, and the clacking noise had stopped. They told me that it was not a big enough noise to diagnose, and that I'd have to either leave it overnight, or bring it in when it happened again...

Well, today, I had an appointment, and lo and behold after I came out....CLACK CLACK TWEET TWEET! I checked under the hood to try to find out where it is coming from, and it seems to be coming from the left front area where there is the 'Power Steering Belt?'.....I took it to the dealer and showed them, but of course the 5 mile drive there had silenced the noise....

I'm taking it in fresh in the a.m. and leaving it there all day....

Has anyone had anything like this happen that can help me tell them what the problem is? This is the 3rd time for the same problem!

Thanks!

[wagonmaster]

We had a squeaking noise, worse when cold. They replaced three serpetine belts until they finally figured out what they needed was one only slightly narrower than the original equipment. Problem solved!
Just took a 3600 mile trip and no repeats!! Hope this helps!
Joe

[ptgtjoe]

Yeah Joe, that sounds like my problem....

What belts were replaced? Steering Pump belt?

Took it to the dealer this morning and it was rattlin/squealin all the way there ....until (of course) I drove into the lot....they couldn't get it to happen....even after letting it cool for an hour!

I'll have to find the time to leave it there one night and have them start it in the a.m. (when I'm there of course)...

This is getting ridiculous!

[wagonmaster]

The belt is a serpentine type. One belt turns everything. There is apparently a very slight mis-alignment problem between the power steering pump and everything else the belt turns. One PT owner on this forum, I believe, re-aligned the pump with shims. This will solve the problem, albeit with a significant amount of work. Our guys used a belt just slightly narrower than the original. No more problems even after a 3,600 mile trip from Florida to Wisconsin last month. Again, hope this helps.
Joe