Does this rumbling noise sound like the idler pulleys?

[BoxsterInTheSun]

I have a rumbling noise that occurs at idle most of the time, moreso when the car is cold. I managed to capture the noise in this video.

Before I order the 2 idler pulleys, am I on the right track here?

Thanks as always in advance!

[JFP in PA]

If you remove the belt, you can turn ALL the pulleys one at a time to see which one needs attention..............

[BoxsterInTheSun]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

If you remove the belt, you can turn ALL the pulleys one at a time to see which one needs attention..............

Ah great! Assume I'm looking to be able to recreate a noise of some description while turning them by hand?

[JFP in PA]

Yes, a rumble or similar sound and feel.

[10/10ths]

….is very bad news.

I have seen three different Boxsters go up in flames after an idler pulley failure.

Belt friction set that thing on fire.

[BoxsterInTheSun]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

….is very bad news.

I have seen three different Boxsters go up in flames after an idler pulley failure.

Belt friction set that thing on fire.

I got access to it today while I'm waiting for time to take the belt off. I can hear the noise much better with the access panel off.

Can someone take a look at this latest video that shows the rumble a lot better and let me know if I'm on the right track with the pulleys, or is this loud enough that it could be something else?

Regardless I'll be taking the belt off to check the pulley bearings as @JFP in PA mentioned, but wanted to check in case this is something else that I would need parts for so I can get them ordered.

[997_986]

I also think it is one of the bearings of one of the pulleys. Take the opportunity to renew the belt as well. If the AC compressor might be the culprit, switch it on and off and check the difference -- if there is any.

[tcoradeschi]

With all due respect, taking the belt off is about a 30 second operation. Just do it.

[BoxsterInTheSun]

Originally Posted by tcoradeschi

With all due respect, taking the belt off is about a 30 second operation. Just do it.

Got the belt off tonight and took a look. I'm not completely sure what I'm looking for to know if the pulleys are "bad" or not. I took a video of me rolling them, would anyone mind taking a look and letting me know how they seem?

I'm not sure that anything I'm hearing here would equate to the noise I hear in the original video I posted, but maybe that's all it takes?

Thanks as always for the help!

[pilot4fn]

Originally Posted by BoxsterInTheSun

Got the belt off tonight and took a look. I'm not completely sure what I'm looking for to know if the pulleys are "bad" or not. I took a video of me rolling them, would anyone mind taking a look and letting me know how they seem?

I'm not sure that anything I'm hearing here would equate to the noise I hear in the original video I posted, but maybe that's all it takes?

Thanks as always for the help!

That bearing you rotate by hand is gone. Should be basically silent when it is good.

[BoxsterInTheSun]

Originally Posted by pilot4fn

That bearing you rotate by hand is gone. Should be basically silent when it is good.

Thank you so much! So the first and second ones in the video ( the upper and lower idler pulleys )? The tensionser pulley doesn't seem to make noise.

[997_986]

You identified them by yourself: "noisy".