Hey fellas, I have a problem. There is a tick/whine coming from the front passenger side of my engine that sounds, to me, exactly like a burning out pulley bearing. Is there anything else that it could be that sounds like that? it sounds like its really close to the belt tensioner.

97 XL 5.4

 

Exhaust leak is common in these

 

I dont think its an exhaust leak. I could be wrong and thanks for the reply. ive opened the hood and its definitely coming from the from of the engine. it has the same sound of the fan hitting the shroud, almost like a card in bicycle spokes.

 

That fast or does it go with rpms

 

It goes with then rpms. I can hear it drop when the transmission changes gears very clearly

 

Use a long screwdriver and CAREFULLY place it on the bolt holding each pulley on. Put your ear to the end of the screw driver, easy way to test bearings on idler pulleys and tensioners.

 

im going to try to figure it out tomorrow and I might try that.

 

You might have a rock in a pulley.

 

Two other things to try:

1. Loosen or remove the drive belt and spin each pulley by hand. If it makes your ticking noise, you found the problem. Also try to rock the pulley side to side. If it moves, the bearings are going and it should be replaced.

2. With the engine running, use a piece of garden hose like a doctor's stethoscope - hold one end to your ear and the other end near each pulley. Listen if the tick gets louder when you are near one pulley, that's the problem child.

I just had a whine I could not find until I did #1 above, found I could rock a tensioner pulley side to side. Replaced it and noise gone.

Let us know how you make out.

-Aubry

 

found it. the idler on the tensioner was shot to hell. when i finally got the belt off the pulley fell off. i have one ordered and it should be here next week sometime