R53 Most liked posts in thread: High pitched noise, at full throttle over 3000 RPM

Thank you for the links as well. Detroit Tuned is only about 20 miles from me so I will have to stop by there at some point.

 

The timing chain and tensioner were replaced and the SC was drained, cleaned, and filled on both ends. Also, new water pump.

The head and block were purchased separately and assembled. Other new parts include the Valeo single mass clutch conversion and stainless valve cover bolt set.

I have also ordered the low speed fan resistor from mouser to repair the fan and new parking brake cables.

Here are some images from during the build.

 

Hoping it was just because the belt was new. I also tightened it until it felt like one with a standard tensioner initially. In this case, the adjustable rod doesn't allow any additional slack to be taken up.

 

I agree, I have done that in the past with a timing belt. Instantly made a growling noise. It can also put too much stress on the underdrive bearings. This one is noise free, except for the Alta exhaust and supercharger whine!

 

I didn’t hear the high pitch sound either but then again my hearing is not what it use to be. MCS02 gave some good advice on where to start looking for known R53 problems and Welcome to Motoring Alliance.

 

I am having the exact same issue and was able to confirm this through the video. I feel it is coming from the belt side and I can get it to occur when quickly increasing RPMs or downshifting to pass. Does not happen when slowly accelerating through the same RPM ranges. Maybe it is just me, but it also feels like some boost is lost during this time.

I also noticed a faint line in the center of my drive belt, as if it has rubbed something and there is more deflection than I would like. I have an adjustable tensioner so I plan to add tension to the belt to see if that changes anything.

For reference, I am new to this car but not to automotive repair. I bought it with a seized engine and cracked head. In addition to a new engine, the following areas have been addressed:
- Supercharger service
- 15% SC pulley
- Lower mileage stock damper
- Adjustable tensioner rod
- New belt
- New AC clutch/coil

 

Yes, shorter belt that came with the pulley as a kit. I had one tensioner with the shock and one with the adjuster. After reading the horror stories related to tensioner failure, I opted to go with the adjuster. Damper was in good condition from a parted out unit with 52k on it. Original one had some movement. Wanted to go with ATI but didn't have the funds after everything else I had to do to get this car going (stuff listed was only related to the belt side)

Idler is also from the 52k engine and looked/felt ok. I have chassis ears that I may throw on there to narrow this down. Doesn't seem to be one of the more common noise complaints with these.

 

Putting the shock back on is still a possibility as I saved the old tensioner. I had concerns that the adjustable rod may result in vibrations and/or noises, just not like the noise I am hearing.

 

Just an update, I was driving today on a quiet road with building close by. With the windows down, I can hear that this is definitely a belt screech.

otherwise, it sounded like a raspy/boost leak sound, like in the video above. I will update again after tightening the belt.

 

Another update. Tightened the belt and the noise is gone! Also, supercharger is much more responsive. Slipping was definitely causing me to lose boost. Here are some images of my belt setup:

 

Welcome to Motoring Alliance

 

Personally I would go with a oem tensioner over an adjustable one if for no other reason than Dave.O was adamant about using and changing the oem style one.

 

You’ve done a lot of nice work.

 

Thank you, more to come!

 

Good to see you found the problem. I wonder how often you will have to make an adjustment.