Ford 2001 ZX2 crank case breather filter making whining noise --cannot get rid of noise. When the car is in idle or coasting is when the noise happens in the front under the hood

Hi Joshua:
I had a friend with a similar problem. It turned out to be a bearing in the alternator. He actually got to like the sound.

If it has a manual transmission, check the clutch start switch on the clutch pedal support. If it has an automatic transmission it could be the transmission range sensor mounted on top of the transmission right side of the engine. In either case it could be the ignition switch (this is the switch you put the key in to start the car).

All automatic ZX2's have a rough idle in gear. Ford even put out a TSB and tried to fix it with no success. The engine is internally balanced and does not have a harmonic dampener. This means you get all of the engine vibration transferred to the frame. I own three ZX2's, my sister has one, my friend has two, they all have rough idle in drive.

The noise you get from the oil filler is normal to an extent. It is an overhead cam engine so you will hear noise from the oil filler. The oil you see on the spark plugs is likely from the valve cover gasket. That is the only place the oil can come from and get onto the top of the spark plugs. It can't travel through the spark plug threads and get on top from the combustion chamber.

It is good you replaced the PCV valve (I know it is hard to reach) but did you replace the breather? There is a round black box with a hose coming from the intake that goes onto the top of the valve cover. This is the air inlet for the PCV and if it gets clogged it will allow pressure to build up in the crank case.

2003 zx2,rough idle when stoped and the car in drive,runs fine on open road,while idleing i opened the hood,when i loosened the oil fill cap i heard a pufffff,like a relief valve,it should not be building pressure should [email protected],please

Remove the serpentine belt and run the engine to see if the whine still exists. If the whine is gone, try moving the pullies by hand to feel what pully is rough or has a lot of play. Your issue with the heat is likely separate from the whine. You have air in the cooling system. With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap. Fill the radiator to the top and run the engine until it gets to operating temp. The level in the radiator will drop, this is when you add more coolant and replace the cap. Make sure your overflow/resivoir bottle is half full with coolant.

Hey Gary, take your car and get the transmission fluid and filter changed immediately... you will be glad you did...(expensive lessons speaking!!!)

Try changing your PCV valve first then go to your Idle air control and air filter

so you have spark is the rotor button truning when you crank the mtr over. sorry these may seem like mundane questions but this what i need to know. you stated that the timing belt was replaced has the vech ran seens the belt was replaced?

1998 ford escort sport engine started making a tapping noise and engine light started flashing. Had oil and water at normal level.
Car has 110,000 miles. Been serviced regularly!

Yes this can cause smoking, the oil is coming up into air cleaner (you may need to change the air filter) through the crankcase breather, the solution drain out the excess oil, do this as soon as possible or you may damage the engine, the O2 sensors, and the Catalytic Converter.