MIDNFauciUSN

iTrader: (8)

Ok, again, this thread goes back to the noise in the engine bay. lemme recap on what has happened...

1. thought tranny was making the noise... replaced the tranny.
2. searched... found it might be the water pump...
3. screwdriver on the water pump to listen for noise (and alt).
4. when belt is off, the noise on the water pump is actually LOUDER
5. is it the oil pump?

the noise grows in frequency(Hz) and volume with more rev's.

could overtightening the alt belt mess up the oil pump? i havent ever messed with that thing. im gonna ask this one in caps (important)
DO THE MAZDA REMANS COME WITH A NEW OIL PUMP?
its a reman with 30k on it.

White_FC

I _was_ going to say that the alternator/water pump belt has nothing at all to do with the oil pump at all... but then again my name isn't Icemark or kevin..
so I don't know if im qualified to answer...

But anywho..

Oil pumps don't generally make noise, they either work or they break into many pieces...

Are there any other belt activated devices on your car?
P/S? A/C? Air Pump?

Check all these.. No matter where you THINK the noise is comming from, it could be comming from a totally different part.

Chimeron

Check the air pump if you've got it on. Mine was pretty bad when I took it off. Hadn't even noticed but when I took it off it was pretty hard to spin by hand and the engine felt much better

HAILERS

*********I _was_ going to say that the alternator/water pump belt has nothing at all to do with the oil pump at all... but then again my name isn't Icemark or kevin..
so I don't know if im qualified to answer...*********** Mr WhiteFC, by the power vested in ME, you are now Qualified to answer questions directed to OTHERS. (humor)

It could be that the needle bearings on the eccentric shaft have fallen from grace during engine assy, and now are complaining. (not so humorous). I'd have guessed the airpump as stated in another post above, but he beat me to it and your indicating the sound is from the oil pump area. See MAZDATRIX's FAQ for the needle bearing problem. It has jpgs of the needle bearings and the arrangement of the parts on the front of the eccentric shaft.

MIDNFauciUSN

iTrader: (8)

sorry.... airpump, a/c and p/s have been removed since the rebuild. Maz-Max in Houston did the "factory r/r of mazda rebuilt" engine. It has run fun till now, can the needle bearings be screwed up while drivng (after 30k?) or only on assy? Its like a metallic rumbling noise coming from around the water pump and alt... definitely the front of the engine. I got another opinion from someone that knows piston engines... it now officially sounds like i threw a rod (lol) till i told him it was a rotary. I really just want to pull the front cover, but i dont think i will be able to visually make out what is making the noise.

RotaryResurrection

iTrader: (8)

I've also seen an engine that had bad needle bearings/bad thrust plate. Over time, an old thrust plate can get a groove worn into it, or other wear. The needles run across this groove and can make noise as it gets deeper. The one I saw made a noise JUST like a gear timing drive on a v8. I know you've heard those v8's with the lopey idle that make a buzzing/whining sound that is rpm dependent. Almost like a supercharger but louder. I took all the belt driven accessories off, even the clutch and tranny searching for the noise. Turned out to be under the front cover. A new thrust plate, spacer, and bearings fixed it.

IF you have removed all rotating parts except the engine itself, and you're confident it isnt coming from the trans/clutch area, then I'd suspect a problem under the front cover.

HAILERS

Take the belt off and start the engine and idle it (if you have not already). Still have the noise? From the front cover? Then you or someone is going to have to pull that cover off. Don't run for very long without the belt on. One to five minutes should be enough to hear if/where the noise is coming from.

Another thought. Get a socket out and see if the front pulley bolt has loosened up on you. 19mm I think, maybe 17mm. It'd have to be almost finger loose and leaking oil. Give it a try anyway.

MIDNFauciUSN

iTrader: (8)

can the torrington bearing get messed up while in in engine (if it has given good service for 30k miles?) thats what im thinking of next. normal oil pressure, and i just drove it 100 miles from austin to houston... if theres anyone near here, offer to help me pull the cover!!