Belt tensioner rattling? ALREADY SEARCHED

[Sentientbydesign]

Hey guys.

I have a 96 I30 pushing 260k miles. I has had this weird rattle coming from one of the pulleys and I can't figure out which one or how to test better.

I think it's the belt tensioner pulley, but I'd like to get some other opinions and see if I can figure it out and fix it myself.

When the car is in park it rattles periodically (about every two seconds or so).

I DO need a new ac cooling fan, but I don't see how that's related.

[maxnix]

Accessory drive belts are replaced at once, but have all tensioner pulleys on hand.

http://www.infinitipartsusa.com

[Sentientbydesign]

Advertising to me is not what I need.

Do you know what my problem is? If it's a belt and pulley that need to be replaced then I could buy it from you, but just telling me that you have the items doesn't help much.

[Q451990]

Brian isn't advertising... he's not affiliated with Infiniti of Scottsdale. He's saying to have the pullies on hand. It's kind of hard to diagnose the noise from your description - or any description online. Maybe if you could record the noise somehow and post it online? I would highly recommend a mechanic's sthescope... they really do work to track down a noise - and yours sounds like it's consistent enough to find pretty easily.

Here's a pic of one at Harbor Freight. Best $6 you'll spend in a while

Good luck!

Heath

[CrimsonQ]

Advertising to me is not what I need.

Do you know what my problem is? If it's a belt and pulley that need to be replaced then I could buy it from you, but just telling me that you have the items doesn't help much.

Your problem is your attitude

[maxnix]

Very difficult to even guess with a great description and no maintenance history.

If you don't know who Joe is, we all know you are paying too much for parts.

[Sentientbydesign]

I apologize, your reply wasn't clear to me.

I don't have an attitude problem, just an issue with a couple of nico members recently which has put me on the defensive.

It's quite difficult to have complete maintenance history on a vehicle that has 260k on it and I being the 3rd owner only owning it since 200k.

Oil has been changed regularly. Around 190k the timing chain cover was repaired at the dealership twice for an oil leak. Other than that, all other maintenance that's been done is unrelated to the area. Things like brakes, fluids, radiators, etc aren't really related to the problem.

The only one thing that is related is me not replacing the A/C fan which makes the compressor whine because of high heat and high compression (or so I think).

Also, why do I need to by something from Joe when I have a personal contact at the dealership parts counter? Somehow the convenience of being able to pick up my order, not pay for shipping, and getting 40% off list doesn't make me want to buy a part from another state.

[Q451990]

Also, why do I need to by something from Joe when I have a personal contact at the dealership parts counter? Somehow the convenience of being able to pick up my order, not pay for shipping, and getting 40% off list doesn't make me want to buy a part from another state.

Obviously, you don't. Sounds like a nice connection to have! To be honest with you, there aren't a lot of people here with tons of I30 experience - so it's hard for us to say "yeah, that sounds like..."

I would really try that mechanic's stethescope to narrow it down.

Heath

[qship96]

Why would you buy a car with 200,000 miles on it without a service history?

[Sentientbydesign]

I was 18 and it was a relative's vehicle. $2500 for an almost luxury vehicle was a very sweet deal at that age. I've learned a lot off of my car anways, so I don't regret it one bit.

I'll see what I can do about recording it. I don't think I have anything that records, but I'll go buy something.

[mxr662]

I have a 96 I30 pushing 260k miles.

With your car having 260k miles on it, the pulleys should be replaced anyway. Unless you can find records that show recent replacement.

Andy

[DrewQ45]

Diagnosing is simple....

Start with the pulley you most suspect. Crack/loosen the nut on the pulley then release the tension on the belt via the tension bolt. Remove the pulley completely. Be careful to note the orientation of the pulley and the order of parts as you remove. Spin pulley by hand. A pulley with bad bearings will have a chalky/rough/noisy feel. Do this for all idlers (usually 3) even if you find the culprit early on. If one is bad, the others can't be far behind. Change the belt if it's cracking. When assembling, grip the belt between thumb and fore-finger then check for 1/4" of play. Too tight and you damage components.

...Drew...

[Sentientbydesign]

Thanx Drew.

Great idea! I'll try it this coming week.

[FarFetched]

A/C fan inop!It can put too much sterss on A/C compressor wich in turn could become your sourse of rattle. It is summer time and I do lots of A/C work (trucks and busses). I can tell you often A/C clutch pulley when engaged with the hub will make noise you've described!Sometimes tension on return spring of A/C hub is weak making contact between pulley and hub (when disengaged) highly possible!If not then I wold look into idler pulley..or tensioner!Cheers!