So I have been chasing accessory belt issues on my '00 since last fall. I bought the car in late summer and sometime before Thanksgiving there was a very loud audible clicking noise coming from the accessory drive. Determined it was the AC tensioner whenever it oscillated slightly and decide to replace both it and the idler. Also got a new belt for the AC and main drive.

All was well for maybe two weeks then I started to get a chirping noise. Consistent with RPM but was not the belt slipping. I replaced the tensioner this spring after checking of all the pulleys and finding the tensioner pulley to feel loose. Chirping went away for a day then came back. A few days went by and the same clicking from last fall was back, was the AC tensioner again. Haven't replaced it yet, just have the belt off (getting a warranty replacement).

After some research I decided the cause of the chirp was most likely pulley misalignment and the noise was the sound of the belt side hitting the pulley lip. I tested this theory by spraying water and then flipping the belt over which stopped the chirp. I felt all the pulleys and the power steering pump seemed to have a little play in it but no leaks or other noises so I'm not certain that is the problem. I added a video below of both the power steering pump and the HB at idle.

What do you think is the the actual issue? I'm thinking it's the balancer because of the AC tensioner going out again and its a common problem but it looks fine to me in this video? (Sorry for the vertical video)

 

I don't see the Video..

 

I will add the direct link. It is there for me and is public on youtube.

Should work now.

 

No thoughts and/or advice?

 

Hmmmmmmmmm,,,, I watched the Vid 6 times. I really didn't see anything wrong.. What am I missing or suppose to see?

Bill

 

Just supposed to see how the pulleys are spinning. I didn't think there was anything obviously wrong, the small movement of the balancer seemed normal to me.

 

Looks very normal to me. When it goes bad,,,, You will for sure see it!

Drive it and enjoy!

Bill

 

Issue is the chirping noise I have been getting. It is currently silenced since I flipped the belt over but my guess is once it wears down the same way on the opposite edge the chirp will come back. I'm trying to figure out what pulley is misaligned and from what you said that rules out the balancer. Which really only leaves the power steering pump.

 

Obtain a STAINLESS STEEL Toothbrush wire brush.

CAREFULLY, press it into the grooved pulleys and that will clean the groves and rough up the surface.

Tape some 240 grit wet and dry paper to a wood ruler or paint stirrer and press it on to the rotating smooth pulleys. Move the stick back and forth across the smooth pulleys and that will put a little bite back onto the smooth pulleys. Use the same stick and tape a small piece of cloth onto the stick. Apply some brake parts cleaner on the pad and clean the pulleys/

 

Thank you for the cleaning advice, I will certainly do that when I get a chance.

 

Well new development, I believe this proves it is the balancer. Started the car up tonight to the sound of many noises from the accessory drive to find this. So is the ATI damper worth it? If so, aluminum or steel shell?

 

I discovered the balancer is not coming apart, but rather coming off the end of the crank. I could unthread the bolt completely by band.