has anyone had their idler pulley replaced due to noise?

I have a noise towards the front of the engine when it on and sitting. I'm about 95% positive its a pulley/belt related. I'm going to be replacing the belts soon anyways but i've been trying to locate which pulley is it.

It was too cold for me to attempt to engage the AC compressor but i still attempted and noise level was the same. When i move my steering wheel, the noise gets slightly higher.

Pretty much its going to be the idler pulley or the PS pulley. I just cant exactly figure out a way to isolate one or the other to pinpoint it. When i do pull off the belts a simple spin and feel test is all i gots up my sleeve. I figure maybe one or the other is more commonly replaced.

There is a DIY for idler pulley delete with a smaller belt install. Anyone have methods to isolate pulley noises

 

If you put the defrost on, it will force the A/C compressor to engage.


Typically to isolate pulley noises, i have sprayed the pulleys while spinning with WD-40 to see if it quiets up, and have put a screwdriver on the bolt to feel any vibrations as a result of the noise.

Downside to this is the engine bay is quite cramped and tough to do both methods on a G35.

Another trick (although dangerous) is the take a bar of soap and press it to the belt while the engine is running (the dangerous part). The soap acts as a lube and any belt related noises will quiet up. Unfortunately the soap trick is only temporary, and it's very dangerous to do so attempt at your own risk.

 

i'm pretty sure its not the AC as that pulley is pretty far from the idler and PS pulley. But it will help to elimate that one. I'll spray next time and see how that goes.

stethoscope i cant not find one in my garage at all.

 

^^^use the longest screwdriver you have as a stethoscope .. it works pretty good

i thought one of my pulleys was going out .. but i just replaced the belts and it went away .. they werent cracking or anything .. i just like to replace my belts every 30 .. its like 30 dollars in parts a 15 minutes of your time

 

replacement of the belt is not my problem that is cake for me. i've done them on the VQ30 which has the same setup as the VQ35. If it was the belt then it should be an on and off type of noise like belt squeel but this is always there.

 

does the noise go away if you tighten/loosen the tensioners?

 

How about you change and TIGHTEN both belts. I'm pretty sure that's what is causing your noise. I had all types of noises, but the idler pulley and alternator change didn't fix the problem. I tightened the belts (maybe a little more than I should have) and the noises stopped.

 

I have a used idler pulley if you want me to send it to you.

 

Since this is sort of on topic....where's the best place to get both OEM belts new?

 

just delete the idler pulley...it's just dead weight. I did it just because it looks better without it.

 

Can we do that?

 

O well then you would have a permanent loosey!

 

what did you use for the left bolt on the bracket?

the 350z DIY shows people cutting off the bracket and using that peice to thread it on.


YES YOU can delete it as it really is dead weight and you run a 1inch shorter belt.


AFAIK stick with GATES as they are OEM vendors of MANY MANY companies. Gatorback would be a close 2nd.

 

^ you can chop the bracket like it says on my350z or you can have a machine shop make some spacers for you.

 

I bought a spacer from GreenGoblin but you can just chop the bracket too. All you need is the shorter belt which you can get at any autoparts store for ~$25 and you are set.