94 Q45 engine noise please reply ASAP

[MR. Q]

My dad's 94 Q45 has a noise coming from the right side of the engine by the oil cap area. I believe it to be internal. The valve cover from a glance in the oil cap was sludge build up. After a oil change a day later he cleaned the engine while it was running. I know that the 94 has metal guides and I want to know what the problem could be as in a list of things to check. Also can I read code off the E.C.U if there is no engine light on? Please get back at me ASAP we're working on the car know and won.t have time to work on it until'= next week when we have some time off. Thank You.

[texasoil]

Noise? that covers an entire spectrum-- could be a collapsed valve lifter (HLA), a worn cam lobe, a piston crown tapping on carbon deposits, or?

[MR. Q]

The dealer said it was the alternator THANKS.

[Q451990]

Q alternators typically don't get noisy. Anything is possible though. I would suspect an idler pulley before the actual alternator. Is the noise kind of whine or howl?

Heath

[MR. Q]

I would say it's a howl. Not a screeching sound but would scare you if you heard it and didn't know where it was coming from. I knew it wasn't that bad because the engine sounded fine. It was that sound from the right side later diagnosed to be the alternator.

[maxnix]

Tell hiim to clean the new OEM replacement annually by blowing it out with compressed air. Usually don't fail until they get clogged and overheat.

[DrewQ45]

My dad's 94 Q45 has a noise coming from the right side of the engine by the oil cap area..

The alternator sits on the left so it might very well be an idler pulley as suggested earlier. The power-steering idler is the right-most sitting pulley. However, if your dad ends up needing an alternator, I have an OEM remanned unit for sale here.

zerothread/244363

[Rex]

I agree with the others, check the belt tensioner pulley(s) first. When they go they can make some awful noises.

[Q451990]

The alternator sits on the left

Technically it's on the right side. Everything in automotive terms is based on the driver's left and right while sitting in the seat - at least that's how I remember it. Brings up an interesting point in the original post though... was he talking about his right while facing the engine or the right side of the car? I guess in that case he narrowed it down with the oil cap reference...

Heath