Trouble Shooting a Problem with a Tribute

[Colombia28]

My mothers '04 Tribute is making a very loud continuous whine. At first my mother said it was coming from the motor, but upon inspection, it is not. The whine sounds as if it is coming from the drivers side rear drum brake. I know absolutly nothing about drum brakes, so i'm wondering if those on here who do could shed some insight. As i walked around the car it became obvious the sound was coming from the drivers rear wheel, and my only guess is the drum brake. Does this sound plausible, a problem with the drum brake that is?

I will of course have her take it to Burt as soon as possible, but in the mean time i would like some insight to tell the dealer aside from the obvious noise its making. Also if it helps she had her 60k maintenance done just last month and has not put more than 1k on the car since then.

Thanks very much.

[LM]

Fuel Pump maybe?

[Colombia28]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lightnin McQueen @ Jul 21 2008, 10:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=57515)</div>Fuel Pump maybe?[/b]
That was my other suspicion as that is where the tank is as well, and the noise did not subside when applying the brakes, so that may be the winner. Thanks.

[turbo99jetta]

is the noise only happening when the car is moving?

[RX-7 Chris]

Like josh said, For it to be the brakes the car would have to be moving. Also if the car is moving it could also be the wheel baring. If it is happening when the car is parked than I would look at the fuel pump, etc.

[AIM WO4]

Hard to diagnose here. If it's only while moving, it could be a bearing or something to do with the parking brake. If it's the parking brake, you could try applying it while moving to see if the sound changes. If it's a bearing, the tone can change from left turns to right. A fuel pump should make noise whether moving or not.

[AIM WO4]

Sometimes there can be an "issue" between drum and backing plate.

[MazdaTom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Colombia28 @ Jul 21 2008, 10:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=57513)</div>As i walked around the car it became obvious the sound was coming from the drivers rear wheel, and my only guess is the drum brake.[/b]

So unless you can walk really fast or the noise is made at very slow speeds, then I'd say it's the fuel pump. Can you hear it while driving? If so, you can eliminate the fuel pump as a suspect by shutting the car off and letting it coast while you listen.

My friend's mid-90's Exploder had a very loud fuel pump whine.

[AIM WO4]

ANd the Tribute is Mazda's version of the Exploder.... LOL

[RX-7 Chris]

It's mazda's version of the escape not the explorer.

[GR-8]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX-7 Chris @ Jul 22 2008, 10:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=57589)</div>It's mazda's version of the escape not the explorer.[/b]
No it's a 2dr explorer. :P

[Colombia28]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Freezing Cx7 @ Jul 22 2008, 07:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=57548)</div>is the noise only happening when the car is moving?[/b]
No. Moving or parked, the noise is there.



Sounds like its a general consensus that it may be the fuel pump. I played with all the possibilities, and it must be the pump. Nothing i do with the brakes changes the noise at all so yeah. Thank you all very much for the replies!

[DJ]

yah i would say fuel pump for shizz, and it is a exploder

[Stealth01]

Sounds like it's time for an aftermarket, high-pressure fuel pump for mom! LOL.

And everyone knows it's the Mazda version of the Mercury Mariner!

[GR-8]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Stealth01 @ Jul 22 2008, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> (index.php?act=findpost&pid=57698)</div>Sounds like it's time for an aftermarket, high-pressure fuel pump for mom! LOL.

And everyone knows it's the Mazda version of the Mercury Mariner![/b]
Same as the Exploder. ;) :P (I think :D)

[MazdaTom]

Ford Explorer = Mercury Mountaineer = Mazda Navajo

Ford Escape = Mercury Mariner = Mazda Tribute

I wouldn't worry about it if it's the fuel pump. My friend's made that noise for 60,000 miles or so. Probably still makes that noise if it's still on the road.

[AIM WO4]

Now that we have this info specified....

I was merely pointing out a "casual" cousin-like (Ford to Mazda interchangeable parts) relationship. I knew they weren't first cousins. :rolleyes:

Fix = Turn up the stereo.

[Colombia28]

Little update:

It turned out to be the fuel pump, so props to those who suspected that as the cause of the whine!

Dave (4doord) offered to take a look at it but my dad was already at Burt when he called, so thanks very much to Dave for thinking of me to get the problem looked at :)

The car is out of warranty, over 60k on the clock so Burt will obviously not replace/fix it for free, but the tech said its nothing to worry about as of right now. He said to not spend the money on it now as it still works/performs properly for the time being. So the fix is what Johnny suggested; turn up the radio :lol:

Thanks all for the help!