[MDarius]

So after playing in the mud a few weeks ago and removing the alternator to clean it out I have a new noise that sounds like my power steering. I noticed I had tensioned the belt too far when I reinstalled the alternator and it wasn't making good contact with the wheel on the PS pump, so I adjusted it...after running this way for a week or 2 (I was out of town and the wife was driving it, don't beat me!). Now the belts are tensioned correctly...I think...and the sound is still there.

Weird thing is that it only comes up after things are warmed up. Steering is fine, no jerks or bumps. There is no sound at all for the first few miles after start up. After driving on the freeway for a while it is a constant hum like power steering, worse when turning the wheels. Plenty of fluid, though it is brown and looks a little dirty. Any ideas?

[IBCRUSN]

There is no belt drive for the PS pump on the 1FZ engine, it is a direct drive mounted to the engine. The pulley below the alternator is just an idler.

The noise could be the belts, alternator, water pump either idler (a/c tensioner, alt) or the A/C compressor. Remove the belt for the A/C compressor and try it as that will help narrow it down to the alt, idler or water pump. If your belts are old it's cheap enough to just replace them. If you cleaned out the alternator with contact cleaner you may have washed away the bearing lube and that may also be where your noise is coming from.

[80jay]

my alternator made noise like that just before it started to crap out on me, keep you eye out on that.

[dace voit]

I hear a whirring noise when I start the car in the morning, when it is cold. It sounds like a P/S pump. I really noticed it after I changed the belts and the fan clutch. The fan clutch was so noisy you could hear nothing but it.

I hope my alternator is not on its' death bed.

Also, Romer has a thread about changing out the P/S fluid. I did it. It was easy. Perhaps try that. See if the noise quiets down a bit.

Here is a link for the easy way to change the P/S fluid:

New way to flush power Steering Fluid

[IBCRUSN]

What kind of belts are you guys using? If the alternator belts have internal cogs they will make some noise as they pass over the idler under the alternator.

[dogcatch'n]

I had a problem that sounded just like that. when first started , no noise, then after it warmed up, a very noticable noise from the same area.

I ordered pullies [set of two], fan clutch [the blue one] and new belts [yota belts of course], installed and all quiet now...

I think the noise was coming from the pullies, but I replaced all of the above.


Now it's as quiet as can be.

[MDarius]

Hmmm...I don't like ANY of your answers!!
-I'm glad to know that is the idler pully, seemed odd to be the power steering pulley, but since it looked like it was attached to the pump I just assumed. Thanks for clearing that up.
-I replaced old belts with yota belts last week.
-I probably did wash the lube out of the alternator,
-and I didn't want to replace my fan clutch or other pulleys. I really wanted a simple answer under $20. If I close my eyes will it go away?

Enough of my whining. I feel the vibration or hum through the steering wheel and it increases when steering.

Can you tell me what happens when the fan clutch goes? Can I replace the lube in the alternator that I probably washed out, or is that portion sealed?

I plan to go with simple and cheap and work my way up to all day and $$$. I'll start with removing the belt to the AC and check it, then I'll drain the PS fluid and replace with new...it needs changing anyways. If that doesn't work I guess the next step is the new pulleys and fan clutch. I've never replaced these on any vehicle and don't know what's involved, I'll have to do a search. Thanks!