2003 X Type 2.5L
167k mi.

Whining / Metal Wear sound coming from drive belt area. Sounds like a bearing going out, replaced tensioner pulley and top idler pulley. Tensioner pulley seemed bad when removed, thought problem would be resolved. Got everything reassembled, fired it up and noise is still present. Took tension back off belt and spun each remaining pulley (lower idler pulley, alternator and a/c compressor) all seemed okay.

The whining noise increases with acceleration of motor, no warning lights or change in performance.

Any thoughts???
*Could it be internal? Removed oil fill cap and monitored timing chain in motion, looked okay
*Could it be alternator going out?

Definitely sounds like its coming from pulley area or top of motor area, doesn't appear to be as low as the a/c compressor. Turned on a/c and watched clutch engage, looks okay.

Thx

 

One thing that I have tried is to let water run over each part driven by the belt. Use a garden hose and let the water run out gently, don't spray, over each bearing area. If the bearing is bad then the water may get in and act as a lubricant and quiet the noise. Sometimes this can identify which part is the problem.

I assume that you have tried to run without the belt to insure that is where the problem is?

Pete.

 

What about the air-con compressor ? That has bearings

 

There's three idler pulleys, plus the tensioner pulley. Your problem could be PS pump, alternator or AC compressor but not likely. Do the simplest, cheapest bits first. The little bit of grease in the pulley bearings dries out, so that's prolly your problem. You can try to grease the bearings, replace the bearings or purchase new pulleys.