UGHHHHH yet again... Here we freaking go.... I think i have taken the car apart now 4 times in the last month. Anyways... I started the car this morning and heard this:

www.jmlpictures.com/upload/s4/video/sound.mov

Any ideas before i tear the thing apart again? I can't see anything hitting or rubbing right now which kind of leads me to believe that it's under the timing belt covers but i want a second or third opinion. This car is testing me to my limits right now!

Josh

 

Sounds like idler or tensioner pulley bearings to me.

Does it still do it if you turn the wheel to load the PS pump when idling like that.

 

Hey, your right, it's not a good sound.
But at least it's not turbo lady

 

idk... haven't tried that... you think it could be the PS pump to? And any way of easily checking to see what bearing it is if it's not the ps pump?

I am so fed up with this car right now.

 

Ok, just went out and turned the wheel and the sound stays the same... it does change however when you rev the engine.

Josh

 

I'd take the serpentine belt off and spin the idler and tensioner pullies. They shouldn't spin a whole lot on their own.(maybe only a few turns). They should have a little resistance like the bearings are packed tight w/ grease. If they spin a lot or make any sound when you spin either one I'd suspect one of them culprit.
Also check for any play in either one, of course.

I only mentioned the PS pump to give you some ideas to start an eliminating process.
It's hard to tell w/o being there exactly where it's coming from.
Though I doubt it's the ps pump

I feel pretty strongly about the pullies.

 

Yeah thats what i am thinking too... someone on AZ said to take the serpentine belt off and start the car just for a few sec to see if it's something on that belt or the timing belt area... can you take the serpentine belt off w/out removing the front end?

Josh

 

I think it's possible. It may be easier to be able to get to it from underneath to get it off the crank.
If you can just get it off the crank just to start it for a second that'd work.
Here's a pic to help reference.

 

Thanks for the pic... i have taken the car apart so many times already though so i know what it looks like... lol

Josh

 

OK, it's the serpentine belt tensioner pully. It spins a lot and sounds like crap. Alternator sounds fine and spins w/out a noise.

Josh

Oh and btw, i took the front end off (or mostly off). Everything is hooked up still but everything is unbolted so i could pull it far enough forward to take the belt off... and i did it in 30 min flat! HAHA So the good thing about all this is a have gotten REALLY good at taking this car apart!