2008-2012 Malibu Water Pump + whine after ecotec 2.4 (2of2)

[@justiniman6623]

Man I am so glad I came across this video. I just got done with a water pump in an '11 Malibu and now it sounds like a supercharger. Greatly appreciate the informative video

[@kevinsumancantdrum3726]

This video helped me out of a jam. Thank you so much! You saved me a lot of trouble. For some reason, the water pump sprocket wouldn't pop all the way onto the hub, and I think it was a design defect. But the same thing happened with the tensioner. I know how much slack is supposed to be in these balance shaft chains, and this thing was CRAZY tight, and ratcheted out like you said.

[@gjmcustoms]

Best video explaining eco tech whine after new waterpump, ty

[@Wobeert]

Damn all this time I thought I didn't use the tool properly.... This is by far the best video I've seen in regards to the whining noise issue. I learned a lot from you. Thanks man really appreciate you sharing the knowledge.

[@d.j.9961]

I just finished doing the timing chain on my 07 Pontiac G5 2.2 vin-F, on Monday January 25th. The issue was, THE WEATHER! IT Would get just above freezing & then, freeze again. I installed a new serpentine belt yet, the belt is wearing on the smooth pulley of the serpentine belt tensioner.I am trying to figure out why this is happening & the only thing that I can come up with is moisture, & weather!!! P.S. a paper clip also works at securing the lower timing tensioner..I have moved onto watching several of your other videos! You seem intelligent & to have a good bit of ingenuity! I have been meaning to buy a set of A/C gouges. I am severely late getting to sleep, I work the night shift! The a/c does not work on either of my vehicle's- focus & G5.. Found a line rubbing against the ac compressor while I was pulley while I was installing a new timing chain set up in my G5. It was so cold that I did not touch the water pump because it works fine! I purchased a kit that came with a water pump & oil pump/front cover!!! Wish I had the same amount of knowledge in regards to a/c systems, maybe my a/c would work if so.....

[@fer8888888]

With out being able to see the belt. If you replaced the front cover with an aftermarket one, the serpentine belt tensioner could be slightly cocked. It is not uncommon for the full flat surface to look like a glaze as the new belt starts wearing in. When it comes to A/C these 2 videos pretty much explain it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5q4q2uHj62tras kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4elhmhrg79gp5Y

[@ronaldhayes9749]

Thanks Eddie P, for further explaining water pump replacement. Just replaced one on a 2009 Pontiac Solstice 63k Miles, believe the whining noise was there before I replaced water pump but thought it was from the alternator . Planning to remove crank shaft cover & reset balance chain tensioner & replace all guides...Wanted to replace chain also but from looking at video, that requires removing cam/valve shaft cover, & time chain tensioner...thanks again

[@fer8888888]

Chain video series other links in comments. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3SYnXaMjrBmmdE

[@calebherrick9157]

As everyone has said you explained it very well and help my understanding of how i messed up thank you

[@frilirpdas1852]

Thanks for your explanation i did replaced the water pump and and it was doing the noise and i did i even use the the same pin as you did i reset it and no more noise i have videos with the noise and after without the noise thanks i am learning i am not a mechanic but i fix it thanks for you video

[@loreto220ify]

We replaced the water pump but not that tensioner and now we have the whining noise do you recommend replacing the tensioner or just resetting it ?

[@papapsych2746]

I've done this job before during head gasket replacement using Zip Ties and holding the gear in place by hand, but my question to you is. Can I avoid the chance of tilting the sprocket too much by re tightening the jig bolts as I back off the pump to sprocket bolts pulling the chain closer to the jig? Does the chain have enough side to side play on that right side between the idler pulley To pull in and close that gap, and reduce the chances of me running into this. Thanks,

[@daydreambreaks5644]

I got the whining noise and then smoke in the engine bay immediately after starting it back up. Any idea if that smoke is? Could it be coolant residue? I didn’t see the coolant level on the coolant reservoir move…. The fan came on though. I topped the upper coolant hose orifice with some coolant to help with possible air pockets that could form.

[@doug960]

I have this whine and cant get it to go away. Resetting the balance chain tensioner reduced the whine, but it is still there. I didn't think to rotate the engine a bit with the tensioner removed to re-distribute the slack in the chain before re-installing the tensioner and pulling the pin. Do you think this could be my issue? I replaced my entire timing set including sprockets, cam phasers and water pump on a 2.4 LE5 with Cloyes parts and now have the whine. I've done the timing set once before, also Cloyes parts, because the guide between the intake phaser and crank sprocket broke and didn't have this trouble the first time. I had to replace the set this time because of a phaser failure.

[@christinebaldwin462]

Wish id seen your video prior to doing the job. Thanks anyway, man

[@daytonprice2141]

How do I take off the timing cover though? I can't seem to get a clear way to take it off.

[@dnarsjosears4388]

I just reset the tensioner today and the whine went away🙏🏽💯

[@daydreambreaks5644]

My vehicle is a 2016 equinox 2.4 FWD ecotec. Do you think this fix works for me too?

[@greghetrick8133]

Excellent video. Can you tell us what automotive certifications you hold? Thanks.

[@fer8888888]

4 patents at GM for EV's. Bachelors of electrical engineering tech at Purdue West Lafayette, MBA Purdue Calumet. ASE master tech cert. EPA 609 and 608 universal, pmp cert

[@greghetrick8133]

@@fer8888888 I'm a Purdue Alumni also! I am going to use your video in a small claims court case. Could I get a copy of your ASE Certificate or can I look up your certificate on ASE's website if I you could give me your ASE Certification #? I really appreciate your help.

[@fer8888888]

@@greghetrick8133 I don't want any involvement in legal matters. The videos are informational to help people out understanding common issues the typical mechanics may not have the education to understand. Any mechanical engineer should be able to explain the stack up of tolerances and why adding in another machined tool, especially with slide pins makes the mechanical stack up even more complex on top of getting new parts that won't exactly line up even with precision tolerances. People that work in mass production machining also understand this because an entire standard called APQP in automotive is dedicated to making sure the parts stay machined to spec so the car works. Which is why a tensioner pin being pulled after assembly allows for those assembled parts to work together with proper tension. When I did my water pump and I heard chain whine after doing the procedure correctly, I knew right away what happened to me and reset the tensioner by pulling the front cover. Since the whine immediately went away, I knew the chain was over tensioned with the new pump installed.

[@1111comment]

you had to lower the engine for the long water pump bolt, right?

[@fer8888888]

Correct

[@levimurcer9520]

My first car turbo eagle talon you mentioned that engine 4g63 my first motor to build

[@fer8888888]

had a 90 gsx

[@DJR5280]

Did you have to remove that motor mount bracket right above the belt tensioner to get the timing cover off ?

[@fer8888888]

I did to make room and it make it easier

[@DJR5280]

@@fer8888888 How did you get that bottom bolt off of that bracket ? I can't get to it

[@fer8888888]

@@DJR5280 More than likely after unbolting the engine mount from the frame, I jacked the engine up from underneath with a piece of wood under it to make room.

[@DJR5280]

@@fer8888888 Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. I got the job done today and the car runs great.

[@fer8888888]

@@DJR5280 Is the whine gone?

[@MalindoWe]

Exactly right, this happened after replacing water pump because the sprocket budged

[@jaydenbiggers8991]

Did you just unbolt the chain tensioner and then reset it? Do I need to hold the chain when I pull it or anything? I just changed the water pump and it has the whine unfortunately.

[@fer8888888]

Ya pull the front cover (Harmonic balancer pulls off by hand after removing crank bolt) replace front cover gasket because oil pump flows through it and you don't want internal leaks, unbolt the tensioner, twist it and push in, then if I remember twist it back to align pin holes and put a pin in it. Bolt it back on and pull the pin making sure the tip seats against the chain guide back properly. Don't try to force it to tension after pulling pin.

[@jaydenbiggers8991]

@@fer8888888 Thank you, hopefully I can fix it

[@fer8888888]

@@jaydenbiggers8991 resetting the tensioner is actually easier than doing the water pump

[@zachmckee9389]

Just done mine this weekend not near as loud as video no sound at idle until rev. Would it be ok to run? Daily driver to work roughly 200 miles a day

[@fer8888888]

If it is an aged chain, then screaming when rev'ed means it is under more stress than before and could make it stretch more. Any mechanic will tell you, if after any work the chain is making a screaming noise at any point of operation it didn't before normally then it is best practice to reset the tensioner.

[@TheTrojanManGamer]

Can the resulting engine noise be intermittent? I have a similar sound coming from the timing side of engine. (verano 2.4 eco). But its intermittent, at idle it comes and goes almost almost like some component is turning on and off, affecting the sound. not a/c, pwr steer, fans, or belt train. noise doesnt seem speed up or slow down with engine speed though, but usually goes away at anything above 1500 revs. my first guess is vvt issue? when the sound isnt occuring, i can do a quick rev and make it start. less than 20 seconds between noise/no noise cycles. no ticks or rattles, engine runs fine.

[@fer8888888]

resetting the tensioner immediately fixed the whine noise and it never came back. As for your noise which could be what my other noise was. A lot of times with these engines the timing chain guides will break and/or parts wear. Mine didn't break. I replaced all timing components except cam phasers with aftermarket parts and the engine would still randomly sound like a diesel, especially when warm. I redid the job using OEM parts and replacing the cam phasers this time. The engine is quiet as new.

[@TheTrojanManGamer]

@@fer8888888 Thanks, i will probably go ahead and pull the timing cover off. Even if my issue isnt there it will be good to see the condition inside since the car is new to me. new pump and rad just before i bought it.

[@mohannad3177]

2 What happened if I did not fix the whine ? Will it affect the engine and cause a major issues?

[@fer8888888]

Depends how over tensioned it is. If the chain has a little stretch left in it, then it may stretch and the whine will go away and be fine. The chain could be near end of life and eventually snap or break a chain guide. An over tight chain could wear the water pump bearings and shaft seal quicker and the teeth on the balancer shaft gear, crank gear, and water pump also. Worst case if something breaks it could get rapped up in the timing chain destroy the engine. Just pulling the timing cover requires replacement of the front cover gasket and doesn't take very long to perform.

[@papapsych2746]

So here's my idea to avoid this problem, RTV silicone pad to keep pressure against the sprocket between the jig. That's the easiest thought to avoid this situation, I'll dry fit the Jig one day, measure the gap as best I can, then build up a pad of RTV silicone to close the gap. let it dry for a day and go at it the next day. That should keep the sprocket in place, then again maybe the clearance is tighter on an 2.2L ecotec.

[@DJR5280]

I had mine done at a shop and now the car whines and I think the new pump is leaking. I'm wondering if my mechanic is going to give me a hard time and not want to correct this. Is pulling the timing cover and resetting the tensioner something I can expect him to take care of free of charge ?

[@fer8888888]

At this point if he doesn't take care of it and the chain snaps, he would end up owing you an engine. Make sure to take video recording the sound, might be needed for evidence in small claims.

[@DJR5280]

@@fer8888888 Ok thank you

[@DJR5280]

@@fer8888888 Update: Took the car back to my mechanic and demonstrated the whine. He said it sounds like a GM 4 cylinder and he's done many pumps on these and never had a come back. He needed up calling a buddy at a local dealer who said he'd never heard of a tensioner needing reset after a pump job on a 2.4L Ecotec. My mechanic called me and said " I drank the kool aid and listened to everyone on the internet" he told me he'd refund the cost of the job and I can take my business elsewhere. Completely uncalled for. I never asked nor implied I wanted a refund. After years of business and thousands of dollars he shut the door on me. I couldn't believe it. I don't feel right cashing the check as he dis the work. This sucks

[@fer8888888]

@@DJR5280 Not re-tensioning it doesn't mean it will fail but will be at a higher risk down the road. A lot of mechanics say "I have been doing thing this for years etc no problem." Doesn't mean it was done the best way. re-setting the tensioner is an easier job than the water pump. See if he will do it. Get the front cover gasket and crank seal for the front cover at the dealer. Then ask if he will reset the tensioner and keep his money. To access the tensioner I took the side engine mount off, belt, wheel, and harmonic balancer which pulls right off by hand. After the front cover is off you leave the balance chain in place, unbolt the tensioner for the balance chain, reset it and reinstall it. Then put it back together. If he won't do it then have someone else. Ecotec's usually have the typical valvetrain rattle, but not the timing chain whine.

[@DJR5280]

@@fer8888888 Oh he's done with it. He made it clear. He said " this is as far as we go find another shop ". I even offered to pay for the labor, parts, whole job. He declined. So I'll have to do the job myself. Not a hard job as you point out,I just don't feel like doing it. I just can't believe after years of being a customer and the thousands of dollars I've spent there he told me to go find another shop.

[@janetarzan4294]

Thank youuuuuu🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@damonlupher5012]

This even happened to a Master Tech (me) today.

[@fer8888888]

Make that two cuz I am one too

[@XChaoticComposerX]

THANKS!!! now i understand

[@musketbal]

All my guilds when I changed the timing chain, I noticed all the parts were marked GM and Cloyes.

[@fer8888888]

Marked yes, look for design changes in aftermarket to skirt tooling ownership clauses. Changes could be positive or negative in regards to integrity for the different design.

[@brucehebert8134]

My car sounds like it got a super charger and I don’t like it it’s seems like it’s getting quieter but it’s not