ffcbairn

http://s1209.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSCF2624.mp4

That is an A/V clip, you can hear the noise. It sounds like it is coming from the main pulley but I am not positive. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas and if I need to not drive. The belts themselves are in good condition and are tight.

T_Behr904

That is a strange noise. My car made a similar noise, and it turned out that it was the alternator, which shortly failed a couple of days after I started hearing the noise.

Once you find out what the problem is, report back to us on it.

ffcbairn

Situation still the same. Are there bearings or anything on the main crank pulley that could cause it or should I be looking at one of the other pulleys or tensioner?

nissandrvr98

iTrader: (3)

thats a bearing for sure. either tensioner(idler) pulley, could def be alternator or one of the others. you're gonna need to narrow it down.

240sxguy

iTrader: (1)

Take the alternator drive belt off to isolate the problem better. My idler was making some goofy noises before I replaced it. I don't recall that being one of them though.

ffcbairn

You mean just take the main belt off and leave the PS belt on?

240sxguy

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't pull the PS belt unless you see no change after removing the alternator belt. The idler is for the alternator belt and that's a hell of a lot easier to start with.

beefster

iTrader: (1)

how do you replace the alternator belt i currently have a loud squeal when i start up or when i turn heat on?

beefster

iTrader: (1)

nvm found it

but can this be done without taking off a wheel

cjandura

iTrader: (3)

1.Goto dealer by new tensioner assembly
2.Buy belt from dealer for arm and leg or goto pepboys or simular for $10
3.loosen tensioner remember it is reverse threaded
4.snap tensioner bolt remove assembly replace with new one from step #1
5. replace belt DO NOT over tighten or you will have to do step #1 again.

ffcbairn

Well, I figured out what was causing it... or rather it decided to give me another, much more obvious clue. Just started the car, didn't even get into gear and I hear the distinctive pop of a belt breaking. Immediately turn the car off and pop the hood, both belts are off. Jack her up, get the wheel off, and pull the belts out. P/S belt is snapped, main belt only jumped the track.

So I figure with the belts off why not turn everything by hand and see if anything makes noise. Turn the alternator, nothing, turn the compressor, nothing, turn the power steering, nothing. Then I looked down from the top and saw my problem.



It's kind of hard to tell in the picture but the main crank pulley is not spinning in a level circle, one edge is closer to the block than the edge on the opposite side of the pulley.

Then I looked at it again from the side.



Can you see it? The rubber inside of the main crank pulley is all rotted out and now the outer ring has separated from the inner part that connects it to the engine.