'94 q45a belt squeal at 4k rpm and above all gears.

[Onestoptekshop]

So I just had water pump, fan/fan clutch, and belts replaced. Then after work got done this squeal started to happen at 4k rpm and above. took back to mechanic and he told me they got wrong water pump first time pully was about .5" inset from rest they tried to mount belt to it and belt shredded then they got the correct one and new belts installed. He thought maybe belts needed to be tightened brought it back and belt was tightened fully. He thought a pulley could be bad so I leave it with him to check out why its doing this and three days later he calls me back telling me its my Power steering pump pulley that's bad. I am concerned that the wrong size water pump being a .5" inset from the rest of pulleys the puts a lot of angled pressure on the pulleys could that have damaged the pulleys to cause this?

My question is does this sound like the right diagnosis? Also no strange noise or issues with the steering feel when I drive.

I really don't feel right paying more money for an issue that wasn't there prior to the repair. Any advice will help. Mileage on car is less than 80k always maintained properly and no issues prior to the fan clutch going bad.

[3Q Jay]

yep, 90-93 water pump different from 94-96.
you'd think they would notice when reinstalling the belts.
your ps pump is also the active pump.
the wp belt also drives the combi pump.
is your active still (at least semi-) active? if yours has been converted, unless done properly many times the combi pump seizes with time due to insufficient lube of the active segment of the pump.
water pump bearings (is it a genuine nissan part--PUMP- INF #21010-67U28?) also sometimes squeal.
idler pulleys also can get bad bearings (what is the pedigree of that part?)

beyond that--the belts on these cars do want to squeal. suggest OEM (BELT, P/S&WP INF#11950-60US5VW) because they have a felt on them that helps reduce the squeal. make sure properly tightened as it will stretch after an hour or so of operation.

[Onestoptekshop]

Active is in full working order. All maintenance prior was done at an infiniti dealer in cali (carfax confirmed). I purchased the car in may 2016 with no issues. My local Las vegas infiniti dealer wont work on it "too old" they say. Yes all parts are the oem from infiniti. Part numbers match I made sure of this after he told me first issue with pump. It's very strange that it only happens at 4,000 rpm or higher no squeal at start up or when turning the wheel. Never had any issue with steering. The belt and pump were shipped to me from infiniti directly.

[3Q Jay]

then I doubt the issue is with the combi pump.
check belt tension. the active belt does need to be tight.
use stethoscope on idlers to listen for vibrations, etc.

[Onestoptekshop]

Have done all of that. Mechanic said the power steering pulley bearing is spun. It to me looked like it was angled from side
pulley angle: (block)/(fan)

Makes me think its the mechanics fault by installing wrong pump and forcing belt on.

[Onestoptekshop]

Basicly I don't want to go and confront him and ask for car returned with only paying part of the bill (the $750 was paid for the fan/belt/water pump work but not the extra $125 for diagnosing this issue) if this is not the correct/ most likely cause of the issue.

[Q451990]

I think I would ask for him to remove the pulley and bolt and take a look at it. It should spin quietly with no roughness or noise. I think that it's possible that they didn't snug up the center nut enough on the pulley before tensioning the belt, and that's why it's cocked sideways. Just a guess though.

[Onestoptekshop]

thanks for the Info. I'm leaving to shop in minute i'll update after with photo's and outcome.

[Onestoptekshop]

They were close for emergency will update monday