My 2003 Ford Focus has about 107k mi and is making a whining noise whenever running. The noise is louder when I accelerate, and espescially loud right before the point where it shifts gears (the transmission is automatic, but you can tell when it is about to shift). It is also shifting gears somewhat harder than usual, and when idling it is making a gargly/sputtery noise and reving slightly/idling slightly rough. I'm not low on, nor am I leaking any fluids. Anyone have any ideas what may be wrong with my poor car?
Motor News Today
Todays Motor News Source
FeuerFrei says:
Hard to tell over the internet.
Does it seem to be coming from the accessory belt?
pdoggy63 says:
Without seeing the vehicle, my best guess would be a failed belt tensioner pulley. Best way to check is to take off the belt then spin each pulley by hand, checking for roughness. If you want, with the engine cold, you can also run the engine very briefly (10-15 seconds because the belt drives the water pump) with the belt off to verify the noise is gone. If it goes away, you're definitely going in the right direction. As far as rough running/shifting, check the motor mounts. The Front engine mount, under the coolant tank, is a common failure at about 100k.
Francie S says:
A noise can be anything. Water pump, transmission, a/c compressor, idler or tensioner pulley, alternator or about 100 other things. Pick one! Hire a mechanic and get it fixed before you break down in the hood! GET ER DUN!
tchoggy says:
you can probably relax about the transmission. a hard shift is a good shift. you dont want it sliding easily into gear that means the gears are getting worn. could be a combination of issues. the whining sounds like a belt issue, the sputtering could be that you need plugs, plug wires or the timing is off or any combination of the three. of course its hard to say from where im sitting in ohio. get it looked at but it doesnt sound major.