View Single Post
Old 07-17-2009, 04:34 PM   #3
yimmy149
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 279
Quote:
Originally Posted by stateofidleness
you said you took off the panel. so you are able to see the actual engine right?

it should be pretty easy to isolate the sound at that point. the noise is usually from the belt being misaligned. check the idler pulley to make sure it isn't loose and the the belt isn't rubbing on the plastic cover at the top where the cables run through.
Yes, I can see the engine, and was using the rubber-hose-to-the-ear trick to listen to each pulley on it's own. The idlers/tensioners sound healthy to me, and nothing appears to be loose. I will get a better feel for the bearings when I replace the belt, but I haven't ordered it yet.

The alternator is the main pulley making noise. I think the rest of my idle noise may be a heat shield or exhaust issue - but I want to take care of any alternator or pulley problems first.
__________________

'01 Boxster S, 51k miles
'05 Mazda 6 Grand Touring Wagon
yimmy149 is offline   Reply With Quote