lexixel

I've ordered a tensioner (Gates T38173) online. I'll install it and see if that noise goes away.

Need to update on this one: I tried to install this tensioner and found out that it's not exactly the same as OE: The original pulley is 90 mm while this one is 102 mm. The bolt patterns seem to match, so perhaps a belt 15 ~ 20 mm longer than OE would work with this tensioner. The Dayco one seems to be compatible.

The good news is that today I think all the pulleys are spinning freely and with no play or noise. It must be that night it was too cold and dark when I checked.

For future reference, the correct tensioner is 166200W101 and the pulley alone is 166030W030. From my observation it seems that the two lower bolts on the center timing cover need to be loosened, the passenger side upper cover may need to have two bolts and one nut loosened, and the alternator needs to come out because the bottom left bolt is shared and the tensioner goes under the alternator. The alternator seems to be held in place by two bolts and one nut. This design makes it really easy to remove the alternator.

lexixel

So I went to have the front wheels balanced. The guy at the shop showed me that the tyres have quite a bit of feathering. I'll get a couple of new tyres and see how it works.

Coleroad

feathered tires can cause the noise you described. You need to find the cause of that tire wear. Usually it's caused by worn suspension parts, and not just needing an alignment.

lexixel

Finally, I've replaced the front tyres, and the noise is gone.

I lifted the tyres when they were on the floor, and the original Bridgestone Potenza RFT are maybe 5 kg heavier than the new tyres each. The sidewalls are much harder. I think I got the noise because I under inflated them, and they were parked for a month when under-inflated.

Now it's so much softer and quieter regardless of speed.

Thanks everyone for your inputs.

Bgw70

Outstanding and glad it was only tyers and not something worse!