1999 ZX2 noise

nolongeramused · 02-20-2007, 04:40 PM

My ZX2 has a horrible noise that nobody (including the dealership) has been able to correct. It sounds like a squeal, but a friend has said it may be bearings or some other metal part vibrating and making the noise. It seems to be coming from the passenger side of the engine block. It's been going on for a long time. When it started, it only did it while moving, and then only over 40 or 45 MPH. Now it does it all the time when the engine is warm. Doesn't affect the way the car drives at all. Anyone?

bonusbuilt 1950 · 02-20-2007, 05:40 PM

Have you checked the belt tensioner? Does it make the noise at an idle? or sitting still? If so, take the belt off and run the engine for a minute. If it stops, it's either the belt tensioner or an idler pulley. You can also take a broom handle and place it to your ear and touch it to places on the engine and listen for the noise. The loudest point is where the noise is. Be careful not to put the handle near moving parts.
If the noise is still there, I'd have someone check the 2 idler pulleys on the timing belt. THey're under the t/cover. The 2.0 DOHC is known for wearing out these idlers.

Barry

osurlosers · 03-02-2007, 06:55 PM

My 2001 ZX2 also developed a squeal...made my car sound like a POS. It sounded like the noise was coming from the drive belt, so I had a shop replace the belt and auto-tensioner...and it didn't fix the sound. I was on the verge of having the timing belt replaced, but thankfully I researched with google. I found a site (link is below) that suggested the squealing noise was caused by a clogged up crankcase breather filter. In order to test it, simply start your car and wait for the squealing to start....then unscrew your oil cap with the engine running. If the squealing stops, replace the oil cap and turn your car off...then remove the crankcase breather filter and restart it. Any squealing? If not, call your local Ford parts dealer. The part number for my 2001 ZX2 crankcase breather filter is F8KE-6A768-AC. A hose leads from the main air filter housing to the breather filter...and a small hose leads from the bottom of the breather filter to the crankcase cover. The part cost me $14.07. The guy there did have to cross reference the part number. On my receipt, it lists it as part number F8CZ*6A768*AB...and there is a FA1661 by that.

Ford Escort ZX2 - CarSpace Automotive Forums

Of course, if the squealing continues once you unscrew your oil cap, then you're looking at a problem with your drive belt or timing belt or a pulley. Good luck!

bonusbuilt 1950 · 03-02-2007, 07:08 PM

The first number you listed is the engineering number, the second is the actual part number. I work at a dealership (30+years ) and looking up these breather hoses is a real S.O.B. The illustrations are useless, and we've pretty much gone to using the engineering numbers to find these. They collapse inside and create a squeal or whistling sound.

Barry