Can anyone steer me to what would be causing a grinding/rubbing noise from the front of the engine area. It is slight and seems to go away after I drive away. It's primarily when the engine is cold. It sounds like to me a idle arm pulley bearing, water pump bearing, I don't think it's coming from the a/c as the noise doesn't change whether the compressor is on or off, Power steering pump pulley. Unfortunately, my hearing isn't the best (years of working around jet air craft) So I'm having a bit of trouble pinpointing exactly where the nosie is coming from. It's not leaking any water, engine oil, transmission fluid, brake or power steering fluid. It's 2003 S-Type withe 4.2 V-8. everything else mechanical or electrical seems to be working fine. I'll be able to check in detail Saturday. Anything special I should be looking for? Looks like just getting to the "belt" area may be a challenge with so much plastic panels.

 

Change the belt and then report back.

Has the belt ever been changed?
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Not sure. The belt looks almost new no breaks, frays or dry rot. I have very little in the way of maintenance records unfortunately. I had a shop do a pre-purchase inspection before I bought it and everything checked out (suspension, brakes, test drive, etc) they do a lot of work in my area on "foreign" cars including Jaguars and have the necessary computers/equipment for most repairs nut the inspection was only one hour. So not sure how indepth they went. Bottom line is I don't mind changing it if you think it's a possibility.