2002 Mercury Sable Mercury Sable LS 24 valve DOHC

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.

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,908 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

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

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,908 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