Request for help to diagnose 2 bad sounds

[2017 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan]

Hello Everyone,

I have an Oxford White Ford Fiesta SE Sedan
that I purchased as a brand new car in
June of 2017.

I have tried to do preventative maintenance
on it to avoid reactionary repairs. So far,
my vehicle has never been towed.

Here is the work that my local mechanic has done on it
over the past 36 months in terms of mileage service
intervals, along with the standard service operations
as stated by Ford Motor Company:

080,000 Miles - Replaced Battery
085,000 Miles - Replaced Alternator
090,000 Miles - Replaced Ignition Coils
095,000 Miles - Replaced Starter
100,000 Miles - Replaced Thermostat
105,000 Miles - Replaced Engine Coolant Température Sensor

I just reached 106,000 miles, and I am hearing
2 different sounds. (I am a music educator,
and I have good ears, so I am not
imagining things).

The first sound is a wailing sound.
I think it is a front driver’s side
wheel bearing.

The second sound is a grinding sound,
which seems to be coming from a
pulley. I had the Serpentini Belt
replaced on June 10th. However,
the belt was an aftermarket part
and not an OEM or Motorcraft
or Ford component.

I observed videos on wheel bearings
and grinding sounds from pulleys
on Ford Fiestas made from 2011
through 2019, and I have a date
for June 21st with my local mechanic
who I trust for a double diagnosis.

Any potential ideas would really
help me out.

What are your thoughts?

 

[scotman]

The wail or whine from the wheel bearing is a good guess. The grinding sound could be alternator bearings or maybe water pump bearings. Have you noticed that the coolant reservoir has needed to be topped up or the coolant level is on the low mark?
Sometimes the water pump will weep or seep coolant at the shaft bearing. Or, maybe it won't leak but it makes noise and might have some looseness at the pulley.
If you haven't replaced the coolant reservoir, now would be a good time to get one! When they fail it is often immediately catastrophic or at the very least a huge inconvenience to wait for a tow truck. Reservoirs are not a tough or robust part as they age.

 

[2017 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan]

Hello Scotsman,

I really appreciate your response!

I just brought the car to my mechanic
today on Tuesday June 21st at 10am.

Thanks for your comprehensive advice!

 

[Handy Andy]

The serpentine belt turns several pulleys, AC and Water pump are two main ones and the Alternator is the last one.

When you hear the whine or wail from what seems to be all around you especially from the predominate direction of a wheel towards the front, and then otherwise behind you in the trunk - that also varies in pitch by speed - with the faster speed being the higher tone - only heard as you drive - then a wheel bearing is a good guess.

• Wheel bearing issues are touchy - because the bearing, while connected to crossmembers and frame also carries most of the noise into the vehicles body - so the noise can't be readily localized except by a predominate tone from a certain direction - so the suspension can reveal a loose bearing by a rattle or clunk that is heard, also a significant tug or drift you have to keep correcting for also indicates wear.

But the grind of a bad motor bearing or a bearing on the accessories using the DRIVE BELT - would vary in tone and pitch from a low growl to a wiling howl - that varies by RPM - and usually can be plainly heard while you're stationary.

So one type of tone is generated as your drive, the other type of tone can only be done by varying the throttle to change RPM speed hence the change is the tone as the engine revs up or down.

 

[2017 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan]

Hello Handy Andy,

I really appreciate your comprehensive advice!

Thank you for your insights!

 

[Handy Andy]

When "grinding" noise is heard, the Alternator I would like to rule out as being the cause, you seem to have AC but the last one - and main one - is the WATER pump, and that pumps coolant thru the engine to keep it from overheating.

When you hear grinding - there may also be a powdery residue or even dripping or an odd smell of "wet oil" and musty scent from the general engine side where the coolant recovery tank is located - right by that serpentine belt.

Which if all things being equal - is the coolant tank ok? Somewhat clear and clean so you can see the fluid level.

The pulley is the "Center" of the serpentine threading -where the Alternator above and the AC below then the Drive crank (Harmonic Balancer) behind and below the AC - the Water pump is the "Center" of all of them - bends the belt down below it to rise above to the alternator pulley.

Check there for "wobble" of the pulley itself - it may do this shudder as you rev the motor so wear safety glasses and observe the pulley and belt so see if the belt vibrates and or the pulley of the water pump also "shakes" or with higher RPM (3,000 RMP is about max - please exercise caution for objects getting thrown are possible.

IF the belt "strums" or vibrates and seems to affect the pulley -then suspect some work to replace the water pump.

This may also affect the timing belts, under the cover - are also needing attention, for the water pump "threads" thru the timing belt cover and uses a tensioner inside that plastic cover.




-

 

[2017 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan]

Thank you for your augmented diagnosis Handy Andy!

 

[2017 Ford Fiesta SE Sedan]

Hello Scotsman and Handy Andy!

When I brought my 2017 Oxford White Ford Fiesta SE Sedan
to my mechanic on Thursday July 30th at 107,500 miles,
he did the following work, and replaced the following parts,
based on the grinding and wailing sounds he identified:

Left Driver’s Side Front Wheel Bearing Unit
Left Driver’s Side Front Wheel Bearing Retainer
Ring Retainer
Water Pump Bolt
Water Pump Gasket
Water Pump Unit
Crank Shaft Pulley Bolt
Crank Shaft Gear
Serpentine Belt
Timing Belt
Timing Belt Tensioner

Before his technician replaced all of the parts shown above,
he made diagnostics by putting the car up on a lift without
charging me for the estimate.

As a 7 hour job, the subtotal for labor was $793.49,
the subtotal for parts made by Motorcraft was $648.04,
the New York State Sales Tax was $117.12, and the
Grand Total was $1,558.65.

I can deduct the expenses for state and federal tax purposes,
according to my accountant, since I drive 400 miles per week
in Orange County in New York State for work.

$1,558.65 may seem to be a huge investment for a vehicle.
However, if I drive safely (and avoid potholes whenever
possible!) I think I can get more life from my car,
even at 107,500 miles.

On a 5 hour non stop 275 mile trip to Rochester in
New York State doing the speed limit at 65 miles
per hour, I was able to get 39.0 miles per gallon,
and the vehicle feels like it is mechanically
brand new.

Thanks for your support!

 

[scotman]

That was a reasonable price for a major maintenance. 39 mpgs is very good.

 

[Handy Andy]

Just about anything that was external to the motor, that can wear from age and use, was done.

It seems like a big investment and yes, it is, but the main threat of worn parts is due to the environment it was / is used in - so with newer replacements there are others mechanically like bearings axle and hub - there's still work to do but enjoy the vehicle for what it is.

Now you know why Forums like this exist because the hands on satisfaction and money save in $$$ labor costs help those whom are willing to get to know their cars.

 

[Sometimes1needhelp2]

Hello Scotsman and Handy Andy!

When I brought my 2017 Oxford White Ford Fiesta SE Sedan
to my mechanic on Thursday July 30th at 107,500 miles,
he did the following work, and replaced the following parts,
based on the grinding and wailing sounds he identified:

Left Driver’s Side Front Wheel Bearing Unit
Left Driver’s Side Front Wheel Bearing Retainer
Ring Retainer
Water Pump Bolt
Water Pump Gasket
Water Pump Unit
Crank Shaft Pulley Bolt
Crank Shaft Gear
Serpentine Belt
Timing Belt
Timing Belt Tensioner

Before his technician replaced all of the parts shown above,
he made diagnostics by putting the car up on a lift without
charging me for the estimate.

As a 7 hour job, the subtotal for labor was $793.49,
the subtotal for parts made by Motorcraft was $648.04,
the New York State Sales Tax was $117.12, and the
Grand Total was $1,558.65.

I can deduct the expenses for state and federal tax purposes,
according to my accountant, since I drive 400 miles per week
in Orange County in New York State for work.

$1,558.65 may seem to be a huge investment for a vehicle.
However, if I drive safely (and avoid potholes whenever
possible!) I think I can get more life from my car,
even at 107,500 miles.

On a 5 hour non stop 275 mile trip to Rochester in
New York State doing the speed limit at 65 miles
per hour, I was able to get 39.0 miles per gallon,
and the vehicle feels like it is mechanically

 

[Sometimes1needhelp2]

You had to replace all of this WOW LOL, I have a 2013 Ford Fiesta SE and the only things wrong with mine are the front 2 struts a shaky passenger door mirror also I have 105,000.