Chattering Noise At Idle?

[jfalcon]

I have a problem noise that just started yesterday and sounds very similar to what you describe, and the sound in the video. I've no idea what it is. Please make sure to post a solution once you discover/remedy it.

John

[jfalcon]

I have a problem noise that just started yesterday and sounds very similar to what you describe, and the sound in the video. I've no idea what it is. Please make sure to post a solution once you discover/remedy it.

John

I know I'm replying to myself, but to add something: the noise started for me on thursday morning. wasn't there wednesday night when i drove home from work. while trying to figure out the problemon Friday, I checked the hose going to the throttle body just to make sure there wasn't anything in there. the car dies, which has never happened to me. but while I reconnected the hose, i didn't take the key out and left the car on for the next 10 minutes or so. when trying to start it back up, the battery is 95% drained and barely starts. Now a day later and it won't start at all - it won't turn over - definitely from the battery being drained.

Sorry about the long winded story, but now I'm wondering if perhaps the alternator has gone kaput. Has anyone had an alternator sieze on them? I'm thinking maybe the noise (for me at least) might be that? I've never dealt with alternators, thus the wild guess. Again, the sound is very much like the one posted to youtube earlier in the thread. I would also describe it as sounding like someone dropped a loose nut in the engine. But the engine runs fine (when it runs). Performance doesn't seem affected in any way.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[snookwhaler]

It should be fairly obvious what is wrong once the serp. belt is removed. Check all the pulleys. I have not ruled out the alternator either. I'm leaning more towards the A/C compressor on mine the more I listen to it.

I was going to mess with it today but the the weather is horrible.

Here is a link to a home made serp. tensioner tool: http://www.___.com/serpentine_belt.php

Anyone tried this?

I'll post my findings when the weather clears or later in the week.

AJ

[smokin' T5M]

Large pair of channel locks works great. The noise is definitely your serp belt tensioner unless the T-belt is loose (doubt it) :blink:

[snookwhaler]

Ok.......... Here is what I found.

I took the serpentine belt off today. Engine is silent with serp. belt off. Purrs like a kitten.

Below is a picture of the tool I made to ease the tension on the serp. belt. I got this off of Mathews site. It worked amazingly well. Made the job a piece of cake and cost about $4 (including the 3 quarters).

I found the idler pulley has a "buzz" when spun by hand. It spins freely and does not feel loose. But it does "buzz" when spun.

Now here is another problem. The power steering pump spins freely if you spin it in one direction, it appears to be tight but if you rack the pulley back and forth quickly there is definitely a "metallic noise" coming from inside the pump. Possibly the pump has failed somehow or something has come loose internally? Steering is fine and has no problems. The steering is not heavy and works perfectly.

The A/C, alternator and tensioner pulleys all spin freely and there is no freeplay in the bearings or end play in the shafts. Smooth as silk.

I put it all back together and the noise is gone? WTF?

My plan for now is to go ahead and replace the serp. belt and idler pulley.

Is there a thread somewhere that shows how to replace the idler pulley? It looks very difficult to replace. Can it be replaced without removing the alternator and PS pump?

Any help greatly appreciated on this... I'm heading to Napa right now to get a belt and idler pulley.