Friends this one's an FYI just in case you run into it someday.

Was driving on way to local market 2nite. Thought I heard a strange noise at higher throttle higher RPM. Quiet road so I slowed and listened.

Sounded like someone poured a box of nails into the engine compartment. Then went away. VVT issue? tranny? No too far forward for tranny.

Seemed to be engine speed dependant. Slow and easy no noise, give her some throttle and you get a brief racket just before gear shifts.

Pulled over, same noises in park. I replaced the timing chain and tensioners years ago or I'd have bet on that.

Nursed her home, sporadic noises ( missfire?, low oil to valves?, something loose?) became constant. My mind started worrying wondering.

Still making noise in driveway, a good thing. I set out to find it. While double checking oil level, something in the corner of my eye caught My attention. Something wasn't right, took a closer look. Noted the shiny polish on the crank shafts pulley as I scanned, looked to see if WAIT! - Huh?, I'm looking at the inside of the pulley? Could it be that simple?

Where's the serpentine belt?

There was a 1/3 inch wide strip of the belt left! It was driving everything!

The darn belt decided to disintegrate. Wow I member this happening to Anthony's 1998 and to someone else's 1998 more recently too. If the darn years weren't so similar I'd be warning 1998 owners, but I bet this could happen to anyone.

I'd never ever have expected it to sound like this. It made several distinct sounds, each scarier than the last but the most prevalent was like you opened the hood, rev'd her up and emptied a box of finishing nails into the fan/ belt area.

BTW, 2 weeks ago I noticed the belt fraying ever so slightly on one of its edges. It was so tiny I dismissed it. Maybe not such a good idea!

So if it ever happens to you, I hope this helps you track it down.

John

 

Yep, your story sounded oh so familiar.

Besides changing the belt, take a close look at your idler pulley. If I recall, you have a flanged one on your car. Change it.
The edge of the flange is responsible for cutting into the belt.

I put the smooth pulley on, and it's been fine.

Here's my flanged pulley..
See if you see this. If so, changing the belt isn't the only answer.

 

John,
I'd go with Anthony's suggestion and change the idler and tensioner pulleys while you're in there.

Dayco 89016 (there's also a Gates equivalent) - around $20. OEM # is C2C22758. These are metal and smooth, unlike the original plastic part. Both of mine were grumbling, particularly the idler, at around 33,000 miles.

Note that the bolt through the tensioner pulley is a left-hand thread.

 

In my 30 some years writing service repair orders, I never saw a serp. belt fail on it's own. Something came in contact with your belt to cause it to fray. I concur with a iffy idler and/or tensioner pulley.