(Home) Hissing noise and steering pulling

Hissing and pulling!

Has anyone experienced any of these symptoms?
Very loud hissing (2 occasions over a couple of weeks)- happened once when hot, whilst going round a large roundabout and about 3 times when driving straight ahead with engine warming up. It was definately related to engine revs rather than road speed
No obvious problem occured yet, though the idle up speed (aircon)is 100-200rpm lower than it was (recharged some weeks back)

It has also occasionally made a noise like a washing machine on spin cycle (honest)- though initially noted at 70mph on smooth road I also heard it aroud 30mph on a smooth stretch- thought it may be tyres but lifting the foot of the pedal stops it - though I don't know if it stops because lifting the pedal slows it some

2nd issue is steering has very strong pull to offside - but only for 1st 5 minutes of use then the pull becomes slight or non existent
Why would it only pull when cold?
Vehicle is 92 hiace with 3L engine (2779cc naturally aspirated deisel
- (#8069) chris turner, 16 Apr 03 16:38

A check on the drive belts, ie, power steering, air con etc, might be a first step and, a thorough check that all the pulleys are secure. Is it manual or auto box ?

- (#8070) John Davis, 17 Apr 03 1:18

Thanks for responding John
Now you mention it the air con belt is a little loose - though secure. I've always associated belt slip with squeal - can they reproduce a hiss sound also? (sounds like an garage air line which is related to revs)
Adjusting the belt looks as though I may need to remove the drivers seat and its body panel below so I'll need to plan some time for this.
The idle up speed seems to have returned to normal today for some reason
I'm afraid I'm a novice on deisel engines. Is the vacuum pump belt driven also? as this may explain the inconsistant idle up speed? (linkages are lubed)
Its an auto box (A 34)4wd
- (#8144) chris turner, 17 Apr 03 17:17

yup, the vacuum pump is built in to the alternator. Loose belt= no vacuum

Check all the vacuum hoses, a slack one would make a hissing noise...

re the pulling, are the front calipers free? tyres at correct pressure? Try swapping the front tyres over.

- (#8145) david miller, 18 Apr 03 1:04

Thanks John and Dave
I tried an anti slip spray on the belts which reproduced the spin drier sound (it says on the tin it slips before it sticks)
Spent 2 hours! just trying to adjust air con belt (access is really bad on 4wd)and only managed to pull the tensioner out about 6mm (using a 14mm spanner and 1/2 a broom handle!
I was able to tighten the alternator pull up bolt with my fingers! (prior to getting a socket on it)
Its time to invest in some of the more unusual tools I think (S shape spanners, ratchet spanners and offsets)
Had to get crows feet wrenches last week as there was no other way to free the locknut for the kickdown cable which was very tight and unable to lever with a 14mm stubby spanner

Idle up seems stable at the moment
Pulling - yes I know the acid test is swopping the front tyres round - but I'd hate to swap them only to find it pulling the other way (prefer a pull to offside if it has to). I'll get a tyre shop to swap them round when I get a chance - and then possibly back again!
Binding - dont know- not noticed anything - ie
rolls easily when handbrake off etc. However its worthy of further checking
Vacuum hoses seem ok - though I bought some spare just in case - Is there any way that positive pressure can build up in the system as the hiss (though I only heard it 2 occasions) was really loud.
When I bought it I was under the illusion that I should'nt need to touch it for the 1st year....WRONG!!
Oh well - educational I guess
If anyone reading this has a hiace - judicious use of acoustic matting from the accessory shop does seem to help reduce the noise levels - I know this as the flexi silencer is blowing and it doesnt sound half as bad now I've started to add extra soundproofing
I will however be getting a new flexi section welded in via a garage within the next week or so
Chris
- (#8146) chris turner, 21 Apr 03 17:13

This hiss. Is it more like a loud "whooshing" noise? That'll be the viscous fan. It sometimes does that under extreme conditions like kicking down at high speed when hot.

- (#8189) Ian Dunse, 22 Apr 03 7:21

Hi Ian - no its not the whooshing - that noise I find a source of comfort as at least I know the viscous is doing its job!
It sounds like the garage airline when you blow it off into the air instead of your tyres
Have still only heard it on 2 occasions - but it would be nice to understand what was going on
I spent some time today trying to clean off the anti belt slip compound with degreaser and a kettle (dont know whats in it but I suspect it would make an effective underbody wax)!
The idle up and general idle speed is becoming inconsistant again
Was 900 idle and 1200 idle up
Now 800 idle and 1000 idle up
It can be one or the other at any set of traffic lights - so something is going on
At the former idle speed it generally runs around 89 degrees and the latter around 93 degrees
Engine seems to have less power at the latter (when running hotter)
More disturbingly it was sounding as though I wouldnt be getting home tonight - sounded like engine dying and starting repeatedly when cruising 30-40 yet when I put foot down it pulled OK - just did it when pedal stable - the rev counter was stable
I hope its the blowing exhaust section responsible -
Strangely it only lasted around 5 mins

I have driven a petrol vehicle when the fuel filter starts clogging - but are the symptoms any different with a deisel engine?

It also sounds like a (quietish but loud enough to hear clearly on the street)crate of milk bottles sometimes (not joking)- seems to be coming from number 1 injector pipe - this can happen any time - should this be a concern?
I still have the washing machine sound - starts at 65mph and ends at 70 - The rear diff took 200ml of fluid and it seemes a little quiter for it- so guessing this may have something to do with it will try full drain and refill
Using Lucas 75-90 (contains synthetic additive)- is this OK?
Sorry about the long posts - isnt it odd though how when you elliminate one noise/problem that you begin to notice another - or is it just me?
Chris

- (#8190) Chris Turner, 22 Apr 03 16:45

I'd replace the fuel filter, and check for air leaks in the fuel lines before going much further...

- (#8191) david miller, 23 Apr 03 1:14

Cheers Dave
With it being an intermittent prob... that in itself is a prob...
I'll get on the phone tomorrow though and sort a reasonably priced filter - current one is pre-import

I'll try a listening tube on the fuel line joints
so far have only checked for fuel leaks and none noted
Exhaust should be fixed tomorrow so this should make it easier to hear!
Thanks
Chris

- (#8192) chris turner, 23 Apr 03 18:50

Just feeding back in case it helps anyone.
The crate of milk bottles sound (linked to #1 injector pipe somehow) has been cured.
As suggested I changed the fuel filter. Also poured a tin of 'Deisel clean up' made by Wynns (from motor factor) directly into the new filter before screwing on. The engine needs to be around operating temp and you have to run it a cuople of miles immediately upon starting.
Its supposed to clean the injectors and combustion chambers almost immediately
The fuel lines were not a tight fit so trimmed a little off and added a small cable tie to each joint hoping that if they were drawing air this double seal should stop it
So what cured it?
The filter, deisel clean up or the cable ties - dont know but at least it doesnt sound like a milk float anymore
Can still feel a vibe (less than it was) on #1 pipe but thankfully not audible.
Will certainly use the 'deisel clean up' when I change the filter again
Thanks for the educated push - without it I would still be rattling up/down the road
Now which prob was I going to try and tackle next?
Chris

- (#8308) chris turner, 28 Apr 03 13:29