1991 Honda Accord Squeal Engine Noise

I have a 1991 Honda Accord SE that recently started a high pitch squeal
coming from the engine bay. When sitting at idle, nothing. When
starting to drive, a squeal that starts for awhile and then dissapates
to start all over again. I have searched and searched and read that it
could be anything from ABS motor, timing belt, Distributor, and
alternator bearning. It is coming from the passenger side of the bay
and tried running next to car to isolate but cannot. Distributor
housing, rotor, ignitor, and cap all replaces last year so don't think
that is it?

Can ANYBODY Help me?????

 

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Remove the distributor cap and look for Red Rust. Check google (groups)
if you find red rust.

'Curly'

 

If you're running next to the car I would assume the brake pad
wear sensor. If it's from the engine bay maybe spray some WD-40
on the distributor bearing.

 

I could be mistaken, but I believe that they are sealed bearings. In order
to lube it, one would need to remove it and pop the seal out, clean it up,
put some grease in it, put the seal back, and then reinstall it back into
the distributor housing. It's not a terribly complex job, but certainly
more involved than just spraying some wd-40 into the distributor (which by
the way probably isn't such a great idea since it's particularly flammable).

Eric

 

well, it's not that easy either. the bearing is non-standard [and not
cheap] and the housing sensors /should/ be recalibrated on reassembly.
unless you really know what you're doing, replacement of the whole
housing assembly is a much safer thing to do. and if you price your
labor on trying to replace the bearing, there's probably not much in it
on cost either.

 

sounds like an accessory belt. bearings don't usually get quieter as
revs go up.

when you say "passenger side" is that left or right? depends on the
country you're in!

 

Does the noise start again when you press the brakes to slow down again?
Then inspect the brakes.

Also have all the accessory drive belts checked. Does the noise appear on
the first startup in the morning?

 

Thanks all for the responses - but I know it is not the breaks per se
or the accessory belts. The "squeal" is like a fan hitting the shroud
or the radiator and grinding on metal and goes for about 10 sec and
stops and then goes again a few seconds later and stops. It never does
it at a standstill or idle but always does it when driving (whether you
are accelerating or not). Breaking has no impact on the change in
noise other than when you get the forward momentum of the car stopped.
Then no more awefull grinding noise.
I read a post listed 2 years ago that indicated the ABS fuse was pulled
and a noise exactly like the one I have stopped. So in that case -
maybe the anti-lock breaking system has malfunctioned. I'm thinking
more along the problem with timing belt or possibly a malfunctioned
distributor. However, I have questions about distributor making such a
noise- since all is new less than a year ago. And why wouldn't the
distributor make the same noise at standstill if reving the motor up??
Very baffled!!!

 

Thanks Curly. I see just barely some red dust. Hardly noticeable.
And if it is the distributor, wouldn't that grinding noise increase as
I rev up the motor??

 

Exactly what I'd say. I'd ripped the distributor apart on a 92 Civic only to
clean, grease and seal it with clear RTV silicone. These bearings are sealed
and not standard otherwise I'd swap the bearing. Overall, I'm expecting the
car to last over 200k.

From a flashlight I can clearly see the distributor bearing on a 92 Accord
after removing the rotor. Get a nice, long nozzle and get a clean shot at
the bearing (sealed or not) while agitating the shaft. The WD-40 molecule
is penetrating enough to stop that squeak.

Not as flammable as aerosol starter fluid.

 

Just a thought - my daughter's '93 made an intermittent squalling noise when
the coolant was low. None of the other symptoms, just a squall like a seized
bearing. Weird.

Mike