Help Identify 3.4L Engine Noise

Tyler James Inc

Senior Member
It can be heard at all engine speeds, but most noticeable at idle. It sounds like a rubbing sort of noise.
https://vimeo.com/163469332
I replaced the A/C idler pulley, thinking the sound was coming from there. Doesn't change with A/C on/off. With the hood open, it sounds like it's coming from under the time timing belt cover. I'm guessing it's either a timing belt roller bearing or alternator bearing.
Thanks guys.
 
Register to hide this ad
Miles? Last TB change? Could also be fan bracket bearing. I've replaced my AC idler pulley (bad bearing) and it made noise if the AC was on or off because it spins as long as the engine is running.

Get a stethoscope and see if you can isolate it, or take off the belts and add one at a time and see if the noise is there. If the noise is there and no belts are on, it's one of the timing belt idler pulleys.

Both my timing idler pulleys were bad as well as my fan bracket bearing at 205K. All replaced about 3 months ago.
 
Miles? Last TB change? Could also be fan bracket bearing. I've replaced my AC idler pulley (bad bearing) and it made noise if the AC was on or off because it spins as long as the engine is running.

Get a stethoscope and see if you can isolate it, or take off the belts and add one at a time and see if the noise is there. If the noise is there and no belts are on, it's one of the timing belt idler pulleys.

Both my timing idler pulleys were bad as well as my fan bracket bearing at 205K. All replaced about 3 months ago.

me next me next !! :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM87BBSRaj4&feature=youtu.be
 

Sounds like an outer belt. The frequency is too high for something under the timing cover at idle. I bet if you take the belts off, the noise won't be there, better yet, I bet if you take the alternator belt off it won't be there.

2 days ago I diagnosed a failing water pump on a 1MZ engine (3.0L Camry/ES300) and about 50 miles later it started overheating due to coolant loss even though I topped it off. I took off the alternator/AC belt and the noise was still there coming between the heads right on top.
 
Sounds like an outer belt. The frequency is too high for something under the timing cover at idle. I bet if you take the belts off, the noise won't be there, better yet, I bet if you take the alternator belt off it won't be there.

2 days ago I diagnosed a failing water pump on a 1MZ engine (3.0L Camry/ES300) and about 50 miles later it started overheating due to coolant loss even though I topped it off. I took off the alternator/AC belt and the noise was still there coming between the heads right on top.

thanks, ill try that.

on your camry, you topped off the radiator or the overflow and then saw it low?
 
thanks, ill try that.

on your camry, you topped off the radiator or the overflow and then saw it low?

Both. Then it started to overheat 50 miles later because it was low on coolant. So I knew it was the water pump leaking, just wasn't visible yet.
 
Both. Then it started to overheat 50 miles later because it was low on coolant. So I knew it was the water pump leaking, just wasn't visible yet.

ah, nice.

also, just thought of something on the belt you mentioned for my case.

i saw a 'chrisfix' video on youtube once where he said you can spray water on a squeeky belt, in my case would that only be a temporary measure or what? think that's an OK next step?
 
ah, nice.

also, just thought of something on the belt you mentioned for my case.

i saw a 'chrisfix' video on youtube once where he said you can spray water on a squeeky belt, in my case would that only be a temporary measure or what? think that's an OK next step?

Yes, only temporary. Best to just replace the belts. No rush. They can squeak for a while before failing. Just be sure they are tensioned right.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,045
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top