Well the title was to get your attention, however I still think whats wrong with my car is still pretty odd and open to suggestions. Ive owned a 96 Pontiac Grand Am with a 2.4 and have probably had every shortcoming a 2.4 can persists; from the rod bearing to the water pump.
Nonetheless, I also own a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire GT 2.4 No EGR 5spd and lately ive been hearing a weird noise at around 1200-1300 RPM. Now this noise is not loud, nor does it resemble chain rattles, AC bearing problems, or knocking from the motor. Its almost like a growling noise or the sound of something sucking air (no it might not be the intake). Its noticable, if you rev the car above 2000RPM and let go of the gas andlisten...right when the rpm hits about 1300 you hear it, and it goes away when the car is idling at the normal idle rate. I think thats the best explanation I can give of it. When making any suggestions, take into consideration: that the car has been
*boosted in the past with presumably 4-5psi but is returned to stock
*the intake manifold was removed in the past
*I have that awful AC noise sometimes
*I was staring at the powersteering pump the other day (thinking the noise was coming from that area) and noticed it was a bit wet from under the reservoir (checked the level and its fine)
*no battery light to indicate the alternator is bad
*the car does not misfire
*sometimes, although extremely rare, when im in reverse (with the wheel turned) I drive out of my lot lot release the clutch (push the clutch pedal), the car can get rougly below 700 RPM (kinda makes that hesitation) and quickly bumps back to the normal rpm. But this rarely, if ever, happens which is probably because the wheel is turned.
Now it could be somethings thats run off the motor, but I dont know. The car drives perfectly and starts up smooth.
Thanks in advance
Does the noise happen while accelerating or only if you rev it up and let off the gas while moving? I know I have a 2.2 but when I am accelerating and let off the gas to let the engine slow the car down, I get a whining noise which I believe to be my throwout bearing. It occurs only when the car is moving. I don't know, maybe growling to you is whining to me haha. The symptoms just sounded alike.
Thats a a really good question, in terms of happening while accelerating with the clutch released. I know exactly the whining noise that your talking about (kinda sounds sweet, it was on my grand am; also a 5spd). That noise your having is normal, because on my grand am I changed the clutch and throwout bearing and it went away. But im positive it has nothing to do with that.
Harmonic resonation... PITA to track down.
Check your belt tensioner/belt. I had a car that the belt tensioner rusted in place and the belt would make a groan at certain rpm ranges.
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John Wilken
2002 Cavalier
2.2 Vin code 4
Auto
John, I think you have it right. That does sound like something to do with either the belt, crank pulley/balacer, or tensioner. Any other ideas, before I go out and change it?
