Weird noise coming from 2000 Esprit V8

[SAMike]

First just wanted to say hi. I was a member of this forum back some 13 years ago when I had my first Esprit and glad to be back. So initially I thought this was maybe a timing belt issue but that was not the case. So all things pointed to a bad/locked up AC Compressor which turns out might not have been the culprit after all. So after all the work was done and after about 100 miles on the car I start hearing this noise again. The first time it happened (before the recent timing belt service (with all new tensioners, pulleys, etc..) new ac compressor, belt and so on it was rather loud and when I finally stopped a light smoke starting coming from the front of the engine and more of a burning rubber smell. This time around no smoke but the noise is there and not as loud but I can here it getting louder. So here is the thing with this noise, it only seems to happen when driving and decreases and increases with the revs. When car is standing still for about a couple of minutes (after driving) and I rev it to 3-5K RPM the noise is not present, the engine idles and sounds perfect. On a cold start up it does not happen. Only when the car warms up and I'm driving does it start again. At first it was hard to describe the noise but I finally have something to compare it to. It sounds like a wheel that spins and falls on a number at a carnival or the wheel from the show Wheel of Fortune. Almost exactly that sound but faster. It does not sound like tapping or ticking like a lifter or tappet would sound like. Someone suggested the serpentine belt rubbing against a hose. Any suggestions on what it might be, before I take it in again. thanks


Mike

[SAMike]

Thanks for the reply! I’m feeling it’s something like that. Taking in the car on Tuesday will definatley let you know what the outcome is.

[SAMike]

UPDATE: So the verdict was a loose pulley after all. Thus causing the belt to rub. Thank God it wasn’t anything more serious.