finding the noisy pulley
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
finding the noisy pulley
99, auto vert. I am trying to find the noisy pulley in my car. I sprayed some WD-40 on the small two pulleys on the small belt and it stoped then started again in 30 seconds.
After the car is warmed up, the noise is only when pressing the gas. Sitting at a light I don't hear anything. Just when I am using the gas.
I went to autozone and got a new small belt ( sorry I dont know which system it is) and a idler pulley. I replaced an idler pulley on the small system last week and no help. So I am replacing the pulley on the tensioner on the small belt system.
Anyone have any ideas if its only making the noise when on the gas?
After the car is warmed up, the noise is only when pressing the gas. Sitting at a light I don't hear anything. Just when I am using the gas.
I went to autozone and got a new small belt ( sorry I dont know which system it is) and a idler pulley. I replaced an idler pulley on the small system last week and no help. So I am replacing the pulley on the tensioner on the small belt system.
Anyone have any ideas if its only making the noise when on the gas?
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Racer
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From: conasauga tn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Memphis Tennessee
cheap and easy way i have found to find noisy or vibrating pulley is to get you a metal broom handle and stick it to each pulley if you can get to it(not sure if you can on a vet) then put your ear against the broom stick and see which pulley is radiating the most noise or vibration. its worked for me several times on other vehicles
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Brett Foote
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Austin Texas
I know it sounds like a bearing but often it isn't. As belts age the compounds dry out and transmit sound more easily. You can squirt a tiny amount of ArmorAll or similar product on the friction surface of the belt at idle. If the noise goes away for a while you can rule out the pulley bearings. If the belt is old and dry get a good quality replacement. Most here recommend Goodyear Gatorbacks because they seem to run quieter than the Gates.
Of course, you also need to look at your harmonic balancer for beginning signs of elastic separation. (I just went through this common problem.) The stock balancer will "wobble" (noticeable lateral runout) when the rubber begins to separate from the metal. The wobble can cause the belt to squeak as it tries to follow the path of the balancer pulley. No matter what the cause, the noise is loudest with sharp changes in rpm. Sometimes it goes away as the engine heat soaks into the surfaces.
Of course, you also need to look at your harmonic balancer for beginning signs of elastic separation. (I just went through this common problem.) The stock balancer will "wobble" (noticeable lateral runout) when the rubber begins to separate from the metal. The wobble can cause the belt to squeak as it tries to follow the path of the balancer pulley. No matter what the cause, the noise is loudest with sharp changes in rpm. Sometimes it goes away as the engine heat soaks into the surfaces.
Last edited by Cratecruncher; Feb 7, 2011 at 11:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 0
From: Strongsville Ohio
Well my dad has one of those Dr. scopes to listen to peoples hearts when he was in Med school, so I will steal that and use it.
He took the car today so I couldn't get to it. I will try again tomorrow
He took the car today so I couldn't get to it. I will try again tomorrow
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
You can also just use a piece of hose. Hold one end up to your ear. Move the other end around until you find it.
Chances are you need to replace the actual tensioner. I have tried replacing the pulley before and it never helped until I replaced the entire tensioner.
By the way, best way I know to do the A/C belt and tensioner is from under the car. When you go to put the belt back on, place the belt on the crank pulley and tape it in place with some masking or duct tape. That will hold it in the groove and allow you to get the tensioner in place and belt on.
Chances are you need to replace the actual tensioner. I have tried replacing the pulley before and it never helped until I replaced the entire tensioner.
By the way, best way I know to do the A/C belt and tensioner is from under the car. When you go to put the belt back on, place the belt on the crank pulley and tape it in place with some masking or duct tape. That will hold it in the groove and allow you to get the tensioner in place and belt on.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
