Does this sound like the idler pulley may be the culprit?
03-17-2003, 03:27 PM
#1
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Does this sound like the idler pulley may be the culprit? Well.. for a while now my car's been making a tap tap tap tap noise on startup, speeds up w/throttle.
At first I thought push-rods but checked and they were fine, then I started getting worried that it may be a spun rod bearing, but I think I've isolated the problem, but want to make sure this makes sense.
I noticed on the right side of the motor in front of the #2 piston there's a little self adjusting pulley (idler pulley?)
Well I can see it moving when the cars running... if I held it with my hand tight pushing down the noise (tap tap tap) would diminish greatly... on this pulley there's a little lip that appears to be banging the stationariy part of it causing the noise.
Does this make sense? Is this something known to go bad? (car has just under 36k miles on it) Would the idler pulley need replacement or is it just that the belt needs to be replaced (elongated over time so the idler pulley is having to adjust outside of its normal adjustment area)
Thanks!
At first I thought push-rods but checked and they were fine, then I started getting worried that it may be a spun rod bearing, but I think I've isolated the problem, but want to make sure this makes sense.
I noticed on the right side of the motor in front of the #2 piston there's a little self adjusting pulley (idler pulley?)
Well I can see it moving when the cars running... if I held it with my hand tight pushing down the noise (tap tap tap) would diminish greatly... on this pulley there's a little lip that appears to be banging the stationariy part of it causing the noise.
Does this make sense? Is this something known to go bad? (car has just under 36k miles on it) Would the idler pulley need replacement or is it just that the belt needs to be replaced (elongated over time so the idler pulley is having to adjust outside of its normal adjustment area)
Thanks!
03-17-2003, 04:53 PM
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Re: Does this sound like the idler pulley may be the culprit? Remove the serpentine belt. Start the car & let it run for a minute...making sure noise is gone. Turn off engine. Inspect belt closely for small cracks or any wear on either side of belt. I would replace a 36,000 mi. belt before replacing much more expensive idler pulley. Belt around $26. If still noisy after belt change, do the pulley. Best wishes. WJ. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
03-17-2003, 05:06 PM
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Re: Does this sound like the idler pulley may be the culprit? Yep do what WJ said. But the idler pulley is a known culprit - I had mine replaced under warranty last summer. Slight ticking noise and ocassional squeal on startup.
03-18-2003, 04:15 AM
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Re: Does this sound like the idler pulley may be the culprit? I think there was a tsb or recall on our idler pulleys. Do a search and see what you find. Not sure on what years it included if I find it I will reply back. Good luck.
