Belt Tensioner noise

PJDavey · 03-17-2009, 10:18 PM

Hi all
My 1999 (in Australia, 2000 in the US) has a noisy idler assembly. I replaced the pulley bearing which was a bit slack but the noise persists and I'm pretty sure its the actual tensioner. Before I spend the Aust$320 for a new one, is there anything that can be done to improve the existing unit please? I'm amazed that a lever that simply applies pressure to the belt can be so noisy. I'm tempted to put it in an oil bath and see what that does, nothing to lose! Any advice appreciated.
PJ

H20 · 03-18-2009, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJDavey

Hi all
My 1999 (in Australia, 2000 in the US) has a noisy idler assembly. I replaced the pulley bearing which was a bit slack but the noise persists and I'm pretty sure its the actual tensioner. Before I spend the Aust$320 for a new one, is there anything that can be done to improve the existing unit please? I'm amazed that a lever that simply applies pressure to the belt can be so noisy. I'm tempted to put it in an oil bath and see what that does, nothing to lose! Any advice appreciated.
PJ

I would be surprised that something not spinning would make noise. My car has very low miles so I havent had to do anything yet but in past cars and in general, if it wasn't the idler bearing, it was the water pump bearing or the alternator(less likely). I have also had old V belts make noise but never a serpentine belt, though I think it could. Squirt a little "belt ease" product on it while it's running(CAREFULLY!). If the belt quiets down replace it. Then clean the belt ease crap off the engine!

PJDavey · 03-18-2009, 07:22 PM

Thanks H20
I removed the belt and ran the engine to make sure it was something in the belt train. The engine is smooth and quiet. Whilst the belt was off I checked the water pump, a/c compressor and alternator pulleys as best I could by hand. They all felt smooth with no sloppiness. The Honda dealer suggested to me that it was the idler tensioner. When I do the long screwdriver to ear trick, the noise that I am hearing is only evident on the idler, I don't hear the same noise on any of the other points, fairly compelling methinks. I'd like to be able to pull the tensioner apart but not sure if or how that can be done.
Thanks again
PJ

H20 · 03-19-2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJDavey

Thanks H20
I removed the belt and ran the engine to make sure it was something in the belt train. The engine is smooth and quiet. Whilst the belt was off I checked the water pump, a/c compressor and alternator pulleys as best I could by hand. They all felt smooth with no sloppiness. The Honda dealer suggested to me that it was the idler tensioner. When I do the long screwdriver to ear trick, the noise that I am hearing is only evident on the idler, I don't hear the same noise on any of the other points, fairly compelling methinks. I'd like to be able to pull the tensioner apart but not sure if or how that can be done.
Thanks again
PJ

Honestly I have ZERO experiance with the honda idler setup but if you replaced the bearing what else could be making noise? If there is ANY noise at all the other points you checked, any noise at all while spinning by hand it could be that.
So, is there something else spinning in the idler system other then the fresh bearing you installed? Does the idler make noise when you spin it? Have you squirted at least water on the inside of the belt while it's spinning? If the noise even changes note with water it's probably the belt.

leahysailor · 03-19-2009, 05:06 AM

Here's a link on how to replace the timing chain tensioner. Hope this helps.
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...c=320897&st=25

PJDavey · 03-22-2009, 11:46 PM

Now I AM at a loss! I decided to bite the bullet and fit a new idler tensioner and pulley, very confident that that would resolve the noise problem. The tensioner is steadier under idling condition, the old one had some movement. The noise is still there. I did try applying a bit of Dri Lube on both sides of the belt whilst it was idling to see if there was any change in the noise but also to no effect. I turned the A/C on and off and this makes no difference. I was wondering what the life expectancy would be of a water pump. The car has done 120Kkms (75Kmiles) and I dont have any record of that being replaced. Is this the next logical step. Your thoughts appreciated. PJ

H20 · 03-23-2009, 01:13 AM

Has the timing chain tensioner been changed? I have not heard a bad timing chain tesioner, but it's fairly common. I don't know what it sounds like but again it's a common issue. Also it's time anyway for a new serpentine belt. You can then cross that off the list. Has a proper mechanic listened to this noise? You have spent enough on misdiagnosis at this point.

PJDavey · 03-23-2009, 04:49 PM

H20, thanks for that. I recently had the 120Kkms (75Kmile) service at a Honda dealer and am just getting over the financial shock! I would think that the chain tensioner would be looked at in that service. The dealer assured me that the noise was the belt tensioner, it aint. If I take the belt off all is quiet and smooth so not inclined to think it is the timing chain tensioner. I take your point about spending a lot of money self diagnosing but Honda got it wrong and I am thinking that if the water pump hasn't been changed yet (I should be able to ascertain that from Honda records) perhaps I ought to do it anyhow as it wont last forever, (or will it?).
Thanks again H20
and thanks Leahysailor for the link, I'll be sure to save that.
PJ

RL1924 · 03-23-2009, 04:56 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFVZADoyx0

Sound like that? Deff the TCT then easy fix mine went at 30k miles

jagg · 03-23-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

If I take the belt off all is quiet and smooth so not inclined to think it is the timing chain tensioner.

Agreed,

Why not the ol' garden hose to the ear, or heaven forbid, a stethascope, to help pinpoint the exact location of the noise. Why throw darts?

jagg

philiam · 03-23-2009, 09:26 PM

Doesn't sound like the water pump, but an old trick is to put a little brake fluid in the water. It will quiet down a noisy pump. Cured a noisy pump in an old Mercedes and saved me a bunch of money.

PJDavey · 03-24-2009, 11:30 PM

Thanks guys
RL1924, are you saying that it could still be the timing chain and that yours went at 30Kmiles?
jagg, I've done the long screwdriver bit but haven't tried it with a hose. Will give that a try. I was certain using the screwdriver that it was the belt tensioner but no! Agreed, dart throwing can be expensive, I'd like to at least have an idea where the board is!
philiam, sounds like a trick I might try.
thanks again all
PJ

03-17-2009, 10:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
PJDavey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Belt Tensioner noise Hi all My 1999 (in Australia, 2000 in the US) has a noisy idler assembly. I replaced the pulley bearing which was a bit slack but the noise persists and I'm pretty sure its the actual tensioner. Before I spend the Aust$320 for a new one, is there anything that can be done to improve the existing unit please? I'm amazed that a lever that simply applies pressure to the belt can be so noisy. I'm tempted to put it in an oil bath and see what that does, nothing to lose! Any advice appreciated. PJ

03-19-2009, 05:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
leahysailor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 422	Here's a link on how to replace the timing chain tensioner. Hope this helps. http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...c=320897&st=25 __________________ "

03-23-2009, 09:26 PM	#11 (permalink)
philiam Senior Member, Literally Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: woodland hills, CA Posts: 2,735	Doesn't sound like the water pump, but an old trick is to put a little brake fluid in the water. It will quiet down a noisy pump. Cured a noisy pump in an old Mercedes and saved me a bunch of money. __________________ .

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03-18-2009, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
PJDavey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Thanks H20 I removed the belt and ran the engine to make sure it was something in the belt train. The engine is smooth and quiet. Whilst the belt was off I checked the water pump, a/c compressor and alternator pulleys as best I could by hand. They all felt smooth with no sloppiness. The Honda dealer suggested to me that it was the idler tensioner. When I do the long screwdriver to ear trick, the noise that I am hearing is only evident on the idler, I don't hear the same noise on any of the other points, fairly compelling methinks. I'd like to be able to pull the tensioner apart but not sure if or how that can be done. Thanks again PJ

03-22-2009, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
PJDavey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Now I AM at a loss! I decided to bite the bullet and fit a new idler tensioner and pulley, very confident that that would resolve the noise problem. The tensioner is steadier under idling condition, the old one had some movement. The noise is still there. I did try applying a bit of Dri Lube on both sides of the belt whilst it was idling to see if there was any change in the noise but also to no effect. I turned the A/C on and off and this makes no difference. I was wondering what the life expectancy would be of a water pump. The car has done 120Kkms (75Kmiles) and I dont have any record of that being replaced. Is this the next logical step. Your thoughts appreciated. PJ

03-23-2009, 01:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
H20 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: CT, USA Posts: 754	Has the timing chain tensioner been changed? I have not heard a bad timing chain tesioner, but it's fairly common. I don't know what it sounds like but again it's a common issue. Also it's time anyway for a new serpentine belt. You can then cross that off the list. Has a proper mechanic listened to this noise? You have spent enough on misdiagnosis at this point.

03-23-2009, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
PJDavey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 12	H20, thanks for that. I recently had the 120Kkms (75Kmile) service at a Honda dealer and am just getting over the financial shock! I would think that the chain tensioner would be looked at in that service. The dealer assured me that the noise was the belt tensioner, it aint. If I take the belt off all is quiet and smooth so not inclined to think it is the timing chain tensioner. I take your point about spending a lot of money self diagnosing but Honda got it wrong and I am thinking that if the water pump hasn't been changed yet (I should be able to ascertain that from Honda records) perhaps I ought to do it anyhow as it wont last forever, (or will it?). Thanks again H20 and thanks Leahysailor for the link, I'll be sure to save that. PJ

03-23-2009, 04:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
RL1924 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,138	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwFVZADoyx0 Sound like that? Deff the TCT then easy fix mine went at 30k miles

03-24-2009, 11:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
PJDavey Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 12	Thanks guys RL1924, are you saying that it could still be the timing chain and that yours went at 30Kmiles? jagg, I've done the long screwdriver bit but haven't tried it with a hose. Will give that a try. I was certain using the screwdriver that it was the belt tensioner but no! Agreed, dart throwing can be expensive, I'd like to at least have an idea where the board is! philiam, sounds like a trick I might try. thanks again all PJ