Sounds like a clicking/movng belt type sound coming from the engine bay and now its alot louder. I checked the belt and sprayed it down with dressing, doesnt look like anything's loose or hitting off the pulleys there. It's only there with the engine on and stops immediately when the engines turned off. Took it to an auto shop to have them check it out and theyre telling me the air pump/smog pump near the alternator on the drivers side might have a bearing loose or something inside. Is this a generally common thing for air pumps/smaug pumps in general? It sounds like its coming from right where the belt pulley is on the top of the pump so it makes sense as to where its located that it might be a bearing. Im just replacing the air pump tomorrow to see if it helps cuz the f**ckin racket in the engine bay can be heard in the friggin cockpit. Also, they told me the gasket that goes from the air pump to the other side isnt included so they told me I gota make my own outta gasket material....wtf? Anyone have a similar issue before? This is for a '90 btw. TiA

 

Hi Master
do what the doctors do to isolate the faulty accesory/pulley/bearing
we did identify a faulty alternator bearing by doing this method
i swore it was the air pump,which was not the culprit
the alternator bracket transmitted the noise to the air pump
and it seemed like faulty,when the alternator got stuck i inmediately knew.-

- 1 Grab a tube and hear thru it ,your ear on one side,the suspicious accesory on the other end
- 2 Remove the belt,and make the accesory spin by hand,you should feel some noise if its no good ....the normal operation must spin noise free.-

Its a common problem on this cars
Let us know !

 

any news ?

 

lol at that pic

I found my alternator is a little squeeky, hoping it lasts a little while...

 

Boy, can I identify w/ U just now! Making a long story short, I pulled out my mechanic's stethoscope and determined it most likely was the power steering pump....NOT! The only consolation is the system needed a flushing anyway (caramel-colored fluid), and the pump was "only" $80.

So, I feel your pain. I'm guessing belt tensioner or ... water pump (not leaking tho!). They both sound a bit noisy. I'll do the tensioner next, I recon.

Good luck!

P.

 

Yeah, tested it and looks like it is the air pump afterall. My alternators squeeking a little bit too when I hand turn the wheel, but it sounds more of a bearing/churning sound problem with the air pump wheel when hand turned. I could see how it could be making the racket with the belt actually spinning it fast. Pulley for the water pump or power steering didnt make any sounds when hand turned. Looks like Ill be replacing the alternator soon anyway, but hope fixing the air pump atleast stops the racket. Good check calderone. Thanks.

 

You're welcome
Replace it with a nice chrome or polished one,that's what i did
and ....repair the old one anyway.-
It will be a spare,you'll never know if the nice one will live for so long.
Its dangerous because it can froze any minute..and believe me but it stops your car !!!! You can even start it ...
i've been there ! ---> check this and it all started like your drama:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2007979