Loud Belts

[Jukelemon]

OK, this ranks up with the most basic of basics BUT something I have never thought about until now.

Lately, the belt noise from my engine is terrible. It actually sounds like a bearing has failed in some many places i.e. alternator, tension wheel, AC.

ALL belts are new, from Toyota and cant be more than 5k old (replaced when I did the Timing chain, water pump, oil pump).

Here are some key facts:

It is NOT loud at start up BUT gets there after about 15 minutes.

ALL belt noise goes away IF I go over a puddle i.e. rain is splashed under the engine bay.

ALL belts are set to the right tension.

Oil Pump is new as is the water pump.

I can drop a small cup of water on the tension pulley/belt and the noise completely stops.

It is cold here.

Thoughts?

 

[John Smith]

Have you ever replaced the idler pulley bearing? Use a mechanics stethoscope or a length of tubing in your ear and probe near the idler pulley when it is making noise and I bet you find your culprit. The bearing is cheap and easy to replace.

 

[Jukelemon]

I have not.

I suppose it is pretty easy to figure out IF that is it. I will just shoot some lubricant down there and see what happens. Should decrease the noise considerably longer than my cup of water.

 

[Jukelemon]

Problem solved.

Lubed the belts and quiet as a mouse...well, minus my valves.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Hehehe I'm sure the water was doing wonders for the bearing maintenance....