This is getting louder!!

V5 STI with 60.000 miles

Its coming from the front of the engine, in the pulley area. Its noisy at idle but seems to stop when your moving. Not so bad when the engine is cold but gets worse when its hot.

Can't work out if its a pump of some sort or the bearing on a pulley.

Any known problems with this area or any ideas on where to check?

Thanks guys

 

Has the timing belt been changed??!!

 

The cambelt was done about 4 months ago

 

Could be a host of things!! Could be a bearing in the alternator, water pump, timing belt tensioner. Take it to a good mechanic and let him hear.

 

Thought it might be, thanks for your help.

I'll get it looked at.

 

Our you sure its definately not the alternator belt slipping!! Although that is usually worse when cold

 

I don't think it is.

I've had belts slip before and it sounds a bit different. I think its a dry bearing or something like that.

 

Was the tensioner changed when the timing belt was done?

 

When you had your timing belt done, was the tensioner replaced or re-used?

You can rule in (or out) many of the common causes by taking the auxiliary (and aircon, if fitted) belts off. If your noise disappears, you know it was either the belt(s) themselves, alternator, compressor or PAS-related.

If the noise is still there, then your attention turns to what's inside the belt cover. As above, knacked belt tensioner, or idler pulleys, possibly water pump or oil pump.

 

The tensioner was re-used. Hope this wasn't a false economy

 

I had the same problem years gone by, turn's out the cam belt was fitted to tight! Just a thought

 

Hopefully not. These tensioners can, provided they're not already worn out, normally be re-used without problem, but they must be reset properly - and there's a process for doing so involving a hydraulic press applying a continuous measured load to slowly retract the piston.

If it isn't done as per the procedure it's very easy to break the hydraulic unit - especially if a vice, g-cramp or similar is used to quickly force the piston back in. Do you know what was done with yours?

It's also eminently possible that the tensioner's fine, and the problem's elsewhere. First order of business is to locate the source of what you can hear.

Ricerocket: What exactly do you mean by the belt being fitted "too tight"? Imprezas use an automatic belt tensioner so it's impossible to fit one too loose or tight - the tensioner takes care of all that by itself.

 

There is a good video on youtube showing this procedure of resetting the tensioner as Splitpin says.

 

I would check the timing belt idlers as the culprit is more than likely one of these. But eliminate any of the auxilaries by removing the aux belt first as suggested above.

 

Made me giggle but splitpin is right as this is not possible.

 

Might not of been a Subaru tho he was talking about

 

Fair point

 

Had my mechanic take a look today.

He thinks its the belt tensioner for the PS and air con. Going to get this replaced along with the belts as there not in very good nik. He'll check the cambelt as well while its apart.

Thanks for your advice guys

Glad its not to expensive as i'm saving for a clutch. While i've got your attention do you know what power the Pink Box Exedy 230mm can cope with

 

It was the Alternator!!!

 

The unit iteslf? What did you do, replace bearings or new unit?