Woke up to this dreaded sound
 

Hi everyone

My car has started to make this noise from the belt area since this morning. Recently 4 days ago I changed my engine oil to synionic 10w50. So I am wondering if it has anything to do with this?

Or could it be related to using AC as I've recently only started using this since my remap one year ago.

The noise is there even when the AC or fan is not running.

The noise may have started before today but the exhaust covers it up really well. But I am sure this noise was not present before the oil change.

Anyone have any ideas or advice please.

whip the 2 belts off to rule a pulley/alternator/AC clutch issue, start with the AC one, then if the noise is still there remove the next belt,
Dont try and drive it as the PAS wont work and the car wont charge with the belts removed, but it does help narrow it down.

hth

does sound like a bearing noise of some type. narrow it down quickly as could be tensioners/ idlers for your timing belt. have they ever been replaced is so when as they could be due to be replaced. you could just cut off the ac belt and rule that out right away unless you use your ac (i dont so no loss).

doesn't sound major, one of the belt tensioners or pulleys.

If it was major would sound totaly different to that

thank you all for ur replies. I'm not confident enough to take belts off etc. But I really hope it's just the tensioners for ac that's gone. Will get all of them replaced now.

you can do an oil change but not take 2 belts off? you only need a 12mm socket and ratchet.

As above, sounds like belts and the bearing they run on. I'd recommend you get it sorted ASAP as a complete failure of one can cause a major issue.

Mine was the small pulley on the adjuster bracket

Thank you everyone for your replies. Mind at ease now cut the AC belt off and no more noise. Will be arranging replacement of all belts and pulleys/tensioners. Any recommendations on uprated parts for 04 sti?

Thanks again!!!

Sorted then!

i bought the kit from advanced automotives. comes with a dayco timing belt and the tensioners and idlers are all japan made, koyo, ntn and ngk. comes with the uprated small idler and longer bolt as well. they do a kit with a cosworth belt but it ups the price a fair whack to £284!

Thank you mate, i will have a look.

Is it worth opting for a cosworth belt, do they last longer than 5 years or something?

I went for the full sti spec c kit with pink belts :thumb:


Speak to Tom at Sprinting Hare JDM who stocks various kits and will be able to talk through the options to meet your requirements.