Mechanics please advise

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I've written to you all before and apologize for not keeping the addresses to contact you directly. When I wrote before I was searching for a vehicle, and now I have been given one. I hear a noise and want some possible theories before I take it to the mechanic. I still have not found anyone reliable so that is why I am writing on this forum first. Sure will appreciate any suggestions. '83 Dodge Colt 79.500k 4speed Plain. Noise coming from the front. sounds like it is humming... really loud purring with a wheeze in there...does it when I accelerate from 40mph - 55mph...owner said she thought the tires needed to be balanced and rotated...I am concerned about a tie rod problem and also the clutch has never been worked on. Can anyone describe the sound the throw-out bearing would make if that were the problem. I said the front end, but also hearing something else in that area. Whizzing and humming and a piece of metal vibrating. Like something loose and the wind is pushing against it. Does the clutch give you any indication that it is going to go even if the pedal on the floor still feels fine? Pushing it in feels fine. But that noise concerns me. What noise does the car make when the tires need to be balanced and how often should tires be rotated? She said she does it every 12.000k and it is well past that now she said. Please help if you have a mind too, there are just too many mechanics here that will take you if don't know what you are talking about I want to go in and tell them what to do rather than ask for their advise as to what they think the problem is. Youall are great thanks...D. From Texas

-- Dee (drebai@yahoo.com), October 27, 2001

Answers

D - the throwout bearing, if bad, will only make noise when the clutch is depressed regardless of the speed, but more likely to be noticed at lower speeds because of less wind & road noise. The throwout bearing carries the "spin" from the engine when the clutch is disengaged allowing you to change gears. I'd be more concerned about wheel bearings than rotating tires. If the tires show uneven abnormal wear, rotate them, then find out what is causing the wear. Could be alignment, tie rods, ball joints (if the car has them). Also, you might want to check the CV joints - assuming front wheel drive. Since it was free, unless you must depend on it heavily or drive long distances, why not just drive it till it breaks? Then you'll know what was wrong and can fix the right thing! L.

-- Norah & Louise (Rockinhorse@knoxy.net), October 27, 2001.

Most front end and tire problems are noticed in the steering and the wear on the tires. If the car drifts to one side dramatically, steering wheel vibrates, tread on tires is uneven... all signs of tire or suspension problems. Some tires which have sat for very long periods of time develope flat spots and will make some noise at speed.

That wheezing, metal vibrating sound may be something else. Does it make that noise if you're stopped in neutral and simply "revving" the engine?

Its usually easy to find tire folks who know tires... they'll take a look at your tires and suspension and make recommendations of what should be replaced.

-- Jake (Jake@home.com), October 27, 2001.


Just another quick point. I'm just a "backyard mechanic" and not a mechanic... take my advice and opinions with a grain of salt. I do however know many honest mechanics who do quality work at fair prices... they do exist and hopefully you can find one in your area. I once heard on the radio that people are most dissatisfied and feel most "ripped off" by auto mechanics. I can believe it.

-- Jake (Jake@home.com), October 27, 2001.

Hubby says to check your vacuum hoses...to check them get a bottle of water and spray and see if any bubbles or water when air comes out of them. Maybe the noise is your spedometer cable ?? Doesn't seem to think it is your aligment but more importantly check your oil in the transmission and the oil in your rear. Sound travels. I once had a 74' Ford PU 3/4 ton and had a hum and couldn't figure out what it was when I went 55 or 60mph. I checked my oil in the rear and it was as dry as a desert !! No leaks to notice or anything. But double check on those vacuum hoses. Good Luck !!!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), October 27, 2001.

Air isn't going to come out of a vacuum hose. That is why they call them vacuum hoses, they have a vacuum. I am a retired mechanic and would not venture a guess on the information you put out. Could be anything from a wheel bearing to a water pump.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), October 27, 2001.


D from Texas A good Friend who owned an auto parts store said thaevery one starts out with the assumption that every auto mechanic is a crook !Ask around for an honest mechanic, there are some out there .Get his opinion and cost of repairs . If the cost is too high , simp ly tell him you cant afford it , and try anotyer mechanic . Big George

-- George Wilson (cwwhtw@aol.com), October 27, 2001.

This is one of those please-don't--get--me--started answers! I bought an '87 Dodge Colt Vista last February. I was happy because the engine had just been rebuilt and there was a new clutch--however that did not keep the hydraulics and transmission from going out just last month, less than a year from when I purchased it. The hum you are describing on my Colt is a wheel bearing--the other noise is the carrier or carriage bearing depending on which mechanic you talk to. This does not take into account the other things I knew were problems that would need to be replaced. From what I hear Colts are notorious for hydraulic problems, as well as various and assorted bearings, bushing, and clutch problems as well. I loved the car, but finally could not financially afford to repair all that was wrong--I'm back to driving the trusty "78 Datsun pick-up until I can save up enough to make a wiser car purchase next time. Good luck! Lynn

-- Lynn Royal (homesteadmama@att.net), October 27, 2001.

Well...thanks everyone who answered...Here is an update. Went to talk to someone and he said that he thinks it is an exhuast problem that is has nothing to do with the tires...wheels...etc. He could hear it when I revved it up. Said he thinks there is probably a leak and wouldn't know until he got into it further...Can anyone explain how the exhaust would be leaking and what might be leaking...Gas or oil? I'll keep you posted...Dee

-- Dee (drebai@yahoo.com), October 29, 2001.

If the exhaust is leaking then what is leaking is the exhaust gases. Nothing else. Burning fuel generates, among other things, CO2, water vapour, and other acidic gases (e.g. NOx) which can dissolve in the water vapour to create straight-out acid. This can corrode your exhaust system, eat holes in it, and the exhaust gases can start to escape through the holes. I'm not saying that's what it is - I don't know. However, if that's what it is, then that's the description. Replacing an exhaust system can be expensive, but is fairly straightforward. You don't neccessarily replace the whole exhaust system - just the muffler is normal (muffler is the extra-big tube- shaped thing that exhasust gases reach eventually, after getting towards the tail pipe. The "bang-bang-bang" from multiple cylinders of gasoline exploding reaches the muffler, expands indo it past many baffles, and is - guess what? - MUFFLED.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), October 29, 2001.

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