Hello everyone, I need a little help and or advice. I notice a grunting noise when I start the car. I goes away after that, however, when I'm at idle and turn the A/C on, it make a terrible bearing type noise. This noise goes away when I increase the engine RPMs and it doesn't make this noise at speeds above 10 - 15 mph. Thinking belt and or pulley noise, I started looking around, changed both engine and supercharger tensioners ,idler pulleys and belts. They had small squeaks. While changing these things, I noticed that the Power steering pulley and the A/C pulley are badly misaligned. Both are bolted in correctly. Does anyone know a way to realign these pulleys? Or, is replacing the PS pump the remedy. The A/C and PS work fine.
I will attempt to record the noise and post, as soon as I figure out how.
Thanks in advance..

 

Never got a response from anyone, but I'll update and let everyone know what I found anyway. The noise was caused by the misaligned pulley rubbing against the timing cover. The pulley separated or came apart, whichever you like to call it. It also caused P0171 and P0174 codes, because the accessory pulley was not turning at the correct speed. I included pictures of the pulley and the tool I used to remove it. I will also have to replace the timing cover, since the pulley rubbing against it has made a hole in it.

 

Glad to hear you found the issue. Are you looking for another timing cover? For an xj8 right?

 

Thanks Jassyjags, It took a while to locate exactly where the noise was coming from. No, I'm looking for an XJR cover. I think the only difference is the XJR has bolt hole for the supercharger pully mount. You wouldn't happen to have one would you?

 

I have a spare front engine cover in the garage. Not sure if it was for xj8 or xjr. Would you be able to send a picture of your current one and I'll verify that its the same as what I have?

 

Sounds like an unusual situation to me, never heard of such a thing myself.

 

Mine is still on the car right now, so I can't provide a picture. If you can show me a picture, I can tell if it's the right one or not. Thanks!

 

Yeah, it's kind of unusual. It took me quite a while to track the source of the noise. Turns out, the rear pulley would move backwards into the cover on start-up and anytime the A/C was on, and this rubbing wore a grove/hole into the cover, over time.

 

PM sent

 

Here is the part. This one is not mine, just a picture of the one I need

 

Depending on the size of the hole, J B Weld, with some fiber screen might work to patch the hole.

 

I would love to have that option, but there is a nice sized chunk broken and has fallen inside the cover. This is from the pulley slamming into the cover on start-up. I'm gonna have to replace it. I really don't mind, since it will give me the opportunity to replace he timing tensioners and if necessary the chains

 

Waiting for the Timing I got from Forum member Jazzyjags (Thanks So Much!!!).
Removing all the pulleys while I wait.Here are a couple picture to show the damage the Crank pulley did.

You can see where the pulley was rubbing

The broken case was caused by the pulley slamming into the case on startup

 

Well I've been posting on this forum for quite some time, probably back to 2011, and this is the first post I've seen about this problem. I'm just wondering if the tensioner for the serpentine belt wore out and put a lot of drag on the pulley. Over time this loosened it from the other pulley. I'd check the tensioner, before reassembling. Whatever else is run off that belt could also be a culprit like the air con compressor, if it's on that belt.

 

Yeah, it the first time I've every seen anything like it, as well. That pulley turns everything except the supercharger. I plan to address everything I can see, while I'm in there.All pulleys, timing components, anti-sway bushing, etc.. The exception will be the A/C compressor. The air works fine and I don't think it is binding up. But, it could still be an outside possibility. If I could find a new one on the cheap, I would change it, just because..

 

Damaged front cover, after removal. Thanks to forum member, JAZZYJAGS for the replacement front cover. You saved me a lot of time and money. THANKS!!!!

Replaced front engine cover, front oil seal, timing chains and tensioners, valve cover gaskets and seals, spark plugs, coil packs, belt tensioners and pulley bearings, power steering pump, crank shaft pulley/vibration damper, pulley bolt and cone spacer, anti-sway bushings, changed oil and filter.

Gonna re-install the fan and shroud and fill with coolant tomorrow.

 

Wow. That's all I got!..

 

WOW is right! All clean and tight. Nice job.

 

Thanks Mark,
all in all not a very difficult job, the hardest thing was getting the A/C compressor bracket out, without disconnecting the compressor. However, now that I've done it, I could do it again in no time at all.

 

Hi, can I ask how you managed to fix the damper / pulley? Did you buy a new one or did you manage to have the old one refurbished? I'm having some bits of my damper coming off presently and I want to change it out but so far I haven't been able to locate a new one to buy. If you replaced yours with a new one, can you let me know where you bought it from as it has apparently been discontinued and is no longer available according to SNG Barrett in UK. I've tried a few other shops and they have so far either said there's no stock or haven't responded yet.

Thanks