bwilder10h

Well, I still have this hideous engine noise on my 98 GS400. I posted a topic a couple days ago and someone suggested the idler pulley. I got one from a local parts house and figured I might as well replace the tensioner bearing as well as the belt while I had it all apart. Still makes the noise

I think I've narrowed it down to either the power steering pump or the alternator. One thing that makes me think it's the alt instead of the ps pump is the fact that turning the wheel doesn't make the noise get worse. It's pretty steady all the time until the engine is rev'd.

Check out these videos and tell me what you think. I wanted a second opinion before spending $300 on an alternator and spending a couple hours under the car...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYol8JAFGOQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4igFrnwrxcc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RXzFsKxl7Y

sjpobox

it almost sounds like the t-belt is rubbing on the dust cover. I also heard a power steering pump noise in the first video. take a screw driver and touch the componet in question, put it to your ear and see if you hear the noise transmit through the screw driver. good luck.

bwilder10h

I forgot to mention I started the car without the accessory belt on and it did not make the noise. I guess that would rule out the timing belt or timing belt tensioner... which was a relief.

Given the fact that the power steering pump and alternator are so close together, it's hard to figure out which one it is and I was hoping this video would narrow it down.

LEXTEK444

Try and get a stethascope and place the end on both and see which one is noisier. That should narrow things down. Hope it helps,Allen

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

take a screw driver. Long one, put the tip to either the alternator or the PS pumt, and put your ear to the handle. You will hear which is longer. Wood handle screwdrivers work best.

TRD911

Please tell me you had a jack stand under there somewhere!!! I could not see it. I do not trust a jack much less with a car running... OMG. made my stomach sink.

bwilder10h

It was the alternator. The place where I got the part checked it out for an additional $40 so I went ahead and had it done. $400 later and I still haven't crawled under there to replace it. I guess I know where my Saturday is going to be spent.

VipDout

iTrader: (4)

Lol at least we now know .... good footage though ....

FlavesLex

iTrader: (1)

I quoted bmpiazzola to reiterate the use of a jack stand. Remember folks, safety first

bwilder10h

I was never technically under the car... just my arm... I'm not an idiot...

slickgt1

iTrader: (1)

lol good luck. Let us know how it went.

bwilder10h

Well, it went fine with one exception...

In order to get the alternator off, you have to remove the power steering pulley (the alternator itself is a breeze to remove). So I removed the nut on the power steering pulley and apparently the pulley was cracked, because the second I applied a slight amount of force to it by hand... the @(#* think split. Of course it's a dealer item and none of the salvage yards have them so I ordered it from the dealer and hope to get it tomorrow.

I expected not to have these issues from a car with 57k on it...