Pulley Problems: Diagnose Noise Under Your Truck / Car's Hood! 

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You are one of my favorite 1A Auto "stars!" Love the enthusiasm, the "duh" reenactments & how you make us all feel like "tah-dah" when we realize how to fix our problematic car issues. And how you say "vehicle" makes me smile everytime due to your accent. Truly appreciate you all!

Great video. I knew the issue with my truck was a pulley. A mechanic tried telling me my transfer case was bad. Thanks to your video, I figured it out myself. Bad pulley on my water pump (which explained my over heating issues. I went ahead and put a new water pump and serpentine belt. Problem solved. Thanks.

Thanks for the video - I appreciate you guys and gals taking the time to make these videos. I found this video very informative and learned a lot from it. I love A1 Auto videos!

If pulleys are squealing, change them asap. My idle pulley was squealing for about 1 month off and on. The day I bought a new one is the day the pulley bearing seized and the pulley came apart. The serpentine belt jumped off and I lost power steering, alternator, water pump. I was able to pull off the road and open the hood to let the engine cool off, temp was starting to rise. It took only about 10 minutes to replace the idle pulley. I also changed the tension pulley.

What a relief. The part of the video where you were describing the movements of the pulley being OK in one direction but a wobble being bad. Because my Pulley is moving in the directiob of the belt a little bit but it's not a wobble like as if it was a loose bearing

Pulleys are such a overlooked car part that doesn't get replaced esp on an older car imo. I replaced basically almost all of them on my old 2010 Camry with 180k+ miles. After watching your videos I ordered a new Denso water pump and alternator from you guys and fitted it. Much better now. Along with 2 new belts Great channel and very helpful. 1A auto sells quality parts. Us guys and gals living on the East coast. The winter just destroys the cars.

Excellent information on everything talked about, just some down to earth good info! Keep up the good work!

My old 95 Chevy wakes up chirpy every morning. I thought she was just happy. Thanks for the info. Gonna go do my Saturday diligence now.

Dude you are always so informative love the way you do your videos great job

Thank you so much. Have been trying to explain to an auto shop the metallic chirping noise i keep hearing. I will be getting this fixed soon!

Very detailed and perfectly explained great video

Thank you, exactly the info I was looking for and clearly explained.

If the chirpy/squeal/humming noise is heard on a cold start its either the water pump pulley or power steering. If the noise is not heard until the engine gets warm its often a tension pulley or idler pulley. If unsure, pull off the serpentine belt and start engine. Let it run no more than a minute. If no squeal or chirp noise you can be sure it's one of the pulleys or the belt itself. If you still hear the noise with the belt off you have an internal engine issue or problem with emissions.

My first guess was a water pump. Now I have the skill to find the bad part. Thanks a lot 1A.

Len makes the BEST vids... thank you

Took off my belt and gave everything a spin and a wobble, i originally thought the sound was coming from the crankshaft, but once the belt was off and i spun the water pump pulley, it squeaked and i realized i was about to sell a car with a water pump that might fail at any time. Thanks for the advice and I'm going to get that replaced pronto before i sell.

Thanks my brother for helping me out. Keep on sending them out....

I wish I was half so enthusiastic about my pulleys. But really though great video. Very educational and to the point. Thanks so much

Good video very informative, I have some chirping noises and mechanic said change the belt I’ll need to keep it for 2 hours at 65$ an hour

I really am not a car fanatic at all but this was a very easy watch. I just came from Pep Boys after having them fix my serp belt over the weekend. Heard a slight noise that wasn't quite a screech but still sounds a little bit off whenever I start the car (although, it's in and out, and of course, when the guy came out to hear it, it wasn't making that noise any of the 3 times I started the car). He said it was a pulley and not the belt they fixed, and that I should just wait for it to make that noise consistently before doing anything. The sound right to you?

I just bought a car with “no problems” and I have this problem. Thank you for this video. Much appreciated

Love watching the motivation man.

THANK YOU, man!! I go to have my Pathy looked at with so much info.

Excellent presentation!

My car has been making a very loud squealing noise since I got my serpentine belt replaced. I took it back to the shop to get the belt tightened and it stopped. Though 2 days ago it made the noise again out of nowhere and it seemed to be louder and last longer then before. Previously, this noise would happen shortly after turning the AC on after starting my car. The instance 2 days ago occurred about 5 minutes after starting my car, a couple minutes after I had already turned the AC on.

Excellent video very informative thank you

Thank you! This video was very thankful.

I got a Mazda, 2009 model and found that as soon as ine part goes, they all go...so this video was very helpful. Thanks guys

You are the best mechanic will explain

Hello! I love that video. Ok I have a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. And im have some weird noises coming from one of my pulleys. Really not sure which one. Can you give me some advice?

Great video ! Thank you!

Awesome video. Thank you guys

Thanks for making this informative video

I’ve got a chirping sound coming from my engine. Because of this channel I know now what it might be. I’m going tomorrow to have it worked on and now because of this channel I won’t go in not knowing and possibly being taken advantage of.

Never thought of using the screwdriver trick on a pulley! Thank you kind sir :-)

You're a great teacher 🥋

Hey mate, what causes the pulleys to start playing up ? Is it just wear and tear overtime or is there something specific I can do to avoid this issue in the future

Really enjoy your videos

After taking my car to 2 mechanics your tip helped me resolve my issue. Too bad all mechanics in NYC are just out to cone people. Thank you.

Great video! Thank you for this!!

exactly the sound my 2001 Suburban is making. Its going to the shop. Thanks

Replaced the serpentine belt on my 09 Sienna roughly a year ago for this noise issue. Fixed the issue, but now it’s back only on cold starts. I’m thinking it may be a bearing, I’ll have to check them all out for too much play or for too much or too little spinning! Now, does the endless spinning issue only apply to idler pulleys, or also power steering and water pump pulleys?

Yea I get chattering in my engine. I first I thought well it's getting colder, so maybe it's the engine just trying to heat up, but I'll be sure to check the pulleys. I still need to replace the valve cover gasket

yall are always awsome, great video

Great, clean and right to the point video. Thanks for another great one!

Hello, I enjoy watching your videos I've been looking all over for a video for ' '97 Ford Explorer XLT Control Trac 4wd 6cyl 4.0l SOHC. I have a stuck bolt on my idler pulley. Every video I've seen so far is not for the correct car with a method that I don't really want to try on a vehicle that I haven't had long and there aren't any on 97 Ford Explorer idler pulley stuck bolt, everything is for crankshaft pulley or tensioner ect. I don't have access to power tools at the moment and I don't have access to a torch. I have one more challenge which is I have a wrist that's in a brace because it's healing from being broken 🤦🏾‍♀️.. what have you got for some ideas? Thank you in advance if you answered this.

Great video!!! Thank you so much!!

If I’m able to wiggle the idler pulley just slightly, like as much as the tensioner did when you wiggled it in the video, does that mean I should replace it? I’ll try spinning it next, but I am able to wiggle my idler pulley but it just moves slightly. Plus, whichever pulley it is, I’ll hear a squeaking noise when I accelerate. My old belt broke off yesterday, so I put a new one on today and there’s still a squeak when I start the car and when I accelerate.

Good afternoon, I have a 2011 Nissan Altima 2.5S ( special edition ). My brother bought me the car in 2021, from a private owner. drove this car for 2yr with this sound . Cranking the car up this noise is a little loud once I take my foot off acceleratord driving off it’s still makes this noise. It jerks as it reach up to 20 miles after reaching 20 miles car drives good on the road. Same crazy noise as you mentioned. Also once the car pulls off, it jerks as pressing down on the accelerator reaching 20 miles then the jerking stops. On yesterday it made this noise as I drove off it reach up to 54 miles made this humming sound release my foot it stops pressing down noise starts again. Car didn’t want to change gears. My brother put transmission fluid in drove pretty good once it got hot starting driving really slow had to pull over once it cooled off little bit finally made it home with my flashers on on a main highway drove 25-30 miles highway speed is 50 miles.

I’m getting lots of clicking but idk what pulley it is. Probably time to replace the belt anyway so I’ll be able to test them like in the video, thank you

Great video.

Thanks for the knowledge I feel some of these mechanics try to get over if they sense you have no knowledge of your issue fox run auto in bear de just tried to charge me 2,000 to fix a wobbly pulley smh

Amazing video

I’ve just put on a new larger lighter pulled on the water pump(designed for the car), with a slightly larger belt; But now on cold start only it makes what sounds like a rub noise (sand paper like) per second for about 30 seconds or so until the engine gets warmer.. once warm it’s fine, could this be a bearing/lubricant or a tight belt issue maybe?

Wow exactly what I needed to know! Beautiful thank you

That's great info. Thanks

Great video!

Thank you that was some great info. Pretty sure mine is chattering ugh

Can you please put in your videos what tools to use and show as your using them. I would appreciate it, makes it a lot easier thanks.

Oh wow...outstanding!

Thank you for all your help

I changed my serpentine belt and AC belt with pulleys and tensioner's. Now after a week or so a taping sound has developed. It does not speed up or slow down with reving it just constantly tap tap tap. I adjusted the belt once it went away then it came back any ideas would be greatly accepted.

👍👍👍👍 love your work my friend

Interesting. Just came back from the mechanic to have this exact problem fixed and wanted a better understanding of what the mechanic just did.

I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla. I changed the alternator after it was squeaking. I fixed that sound, but now I have a squeaking noise at cold start, it kinda chirps up and down as the belt goes at its speed. It works, it goes away once it’s warmed up, I don’t really know where to start.

My 2007 Grand Prix was making a squealing sound when first started and cold but went away. Now it doesn’t and it is much louder at the same time losing about half of my power steering when I do have flood. Could it be pulley, Serpentine belt, bearings or power steering pump itself cuz really loud.

Thank you!

Thanks to your TIME..

Good morning, I have a question? Honda Element I have a rebuild alternator 3 months ago , and now is making a grawning noise. What do you think could be ?

Love this channel. Has helped me with past things I wanted to fix. My 2006 dodge durango. Started to squeel as soon as I turn the A/C on and last for a bit before the noise stops. I havnt had time to really look at it. Do you think this is a pully issue or A/C clutch? Also is it necessary to replace the fan if it is the clutch? Thanks

Hey man, so i got a squeaky belt on my 96 jeep cherokee, changed the belt to see if that was yhe issue. Still squeaks, not constant but annoying. The last. Elt i took off to check pulleys. My ac comp pulley has play and the bearing sounds shot. Thoughts? Could this cause a screechy belt??

Just had all mine replaced on my 04 f150, not cheap, but nice and quiet now.

My 2006 z71 makes grinding noise only when i turn on the AC. The AC works fine, but the noise is getting louder.

Hello, thank you for this useful video. My Honda CR-V I bought new just in December ‘20 with 1.6 diesel AWD with 9 speed ZF automatic has kind of rattling noise (pretty sure it’s not normal Diesel engine noise) from the front of the car which I assume is from the engine. I can hear it very clearly with air con off, windows shut. The noise can be heard only when hold my foot on the gas to crawl at the speed of around 9-15 mph which keeps it at low rev of around 1,000 or a bit lower. The noise lasts for as long as it’s in those conditions and go away when the transmission shifts to lower gear and the rev goes higher than 1,000-ish or when I speed up or take my foot off the gas. Do you think the noise comes from any of these pulleys or belt tensioner? Thanks so much in advance!

Informative video👍... For mechanical power steering pulley where the bearing located internally( as alternator pulley) or externally( as tensioner or idler pulley) ?

I have a 2007 Nissan Altima replaced both front wheel bearing all the suspension good condition. but when turning to the passenger right side you hear a humming noise at low speeds then get louder going slightly over 55. Could it be bad pulley bearing, alternator pulley, power steering bearing. Maybe something else?!

I bought brand new belts but the squealing noise hasn’t stopped. Hi pitch squealing noise that is lound upon starting & the faster I go. The less noise it makes

Good video for explaining them. I think my Idler pulley is bad, the bearing. It's making such an annoying whine on cold start. Turning is very rigid. I thought if might be a bad PS Pump. But I've replaced my o rings on the PS Pump. Now I'm gonna replace the Idler pulley first and see if that solved it. The noise isn't comming from the PS Pump, which leads me think it's one of the Pulleys. 2008 TL Cheers

I hear a tapping noise on my truck. But I take the belt off start it quickly and the sounds gone with out the belt. I put it on and it’s there again. I can’t figure out if it’s a bad bearing in one of the pulleys. Any info would be awesome.

I just bought a chevy equinox 2.4 ecotec and when a turn the Ac on the car shacks and get rough idle for a second, what could be the problem?

My fan is bobbing in and out and I have a loud chirping squealing screech and also like a can of gravel rolling around grinding sound. Also i felt performance problems driving too. Parked cuz im scared it sounds so bad... Loud. I had an intake leak for a while until I used blue devil 3 years ago.. I think the coolant ruined a pulley but my fan bobs around in and out slightly. I've never troubleshot any of this before

My mothers van whines been a year like that I thought it was the transmission whine of death. 2010 Grand Caravan 3.3l. Noise is near the pulleys and get louder when accelerating even in park or neutral. I disconnected the alternator the sound stayed the same. Ill have to test by moving the pulleys I don't have a good enough ear anymore to do the stethoscope or long screwdriver method.

I have a 08 ford escape. When its cold and i put it in gear, it chatters or clatters. Sounds like its coming from the serpentine belt area. When it warms up slightly, it stops. And ive replaced belt and idler pulley. But it keeps throwing the belt. 5x in 2 months. I just started it, its very cold here, threw the belt and the clattering/chattering is gone....any ideas??? Heres the thing.....when tryig to locate the source of the noise, ot warms up so fast and stops, u dont have time to find it!!!!

Help! 2001 2500HD 8.1 sounds like the clutch or bearings in the a/c is freezing up. Replaced all the pulley' and tensioner. Along with clutch fan. Instead of replacing the unit and would also be a help if broke down on a trip. There should be a work around to be able to put a bigger idler pulley and a smaller belt...I just don't know how to do it. Maybe with a string to measure the new work around belt??? Because if you're belt breaks on a trip due to seizing pulley your done. If there was a work around, in 15 mins you'd be back on the road. Otherwise there's gonna be a tow bill and hotel costs that wouldn't be necessary. Then I could replace anything, to a point, frozen up at a later point in time. Oh, I have the 105 amp alternator. Thanks so much!!! Bob!

May of helped with my problem, but will find out. Was hearing whining noise so replaced the serpentine belt and noise got 2x louder n engine light came on. Thinking may be pulley or alternator going out.

I was hearing sort of grinding noise from the engine bay and during my visit to the workshop the mechanic told me that this noise is coming due to tensioner.....I just want to know is it safe to drive the car in such a condition as the mechanic told me that I can drive it .

You guys make some really great content! I was driving my 06 Corolla XRS in deep snow for a couple days recently, and my splitter foced snow and dirty slush up into the engine bay, fully packing it. The next time I started the motor it squealed like a car with belt slippage. Since it was within arms reach, I grabbed a can of belt conditioner spray and put a little squirt on there... and all hell broke loose! It sounded so bad, like a cacophony of tortured children and elderly souls crying out for me to shut the motor down right away, which I did. I'm about to spray it out with water today, but I was wondering if the bearings are supposed to be sealed or if there's potential that grit and soot got in there and washing it could actually resolve the issue?

Will that bearing that spins easily sound like metal on metal?

I start my truck up and hear the low sqeaking, spray water on the belt it goes away...serp belt?

Graet tutorial bery good explanation.

Is it possible to oil the bearing till I change it on my air conditioner pulley

Hey, if I'm not wrong. Are there two tensioners on every car out there? One for the V-belt and one for the Timing belt? Thanks!

I also noticed some corrosion on the water pump could that be whata making that noise?

Giving sample sounds that you mentioned would have been helpful.

Question to anyone that can help.. i have a 2014 dodge charger hemi, ever since i got it, it has like a grinding kinda noise to it, i thought it was the belt but its not, IT DOES make the noise when the car is in idle so i was thinking that could be it, anyone have any recommendations?? not a squeaky noise, not a chirp, although it did once awhile back, like best way i can describe it, it is a grinding noise. help?

Can a wobble tensioner pulley make your battery icon come on?

Regarding the pulley noises, my tundra is not squealing ,chirping, nor tapping. It's more of a dry rubbing sort of sound (like the sound Chewbacca makes only toned down) idk ,it's the best description of this noise I can compare to. It has the repetitive sound same uniform rhythm as it goes around,I am guessing since I can feel by hand on the cover while truck is running. I recently bought the aisin timing belt replacement kit ,after the operation was complete, drove about 50 or so miles, the noise was then present. Weird because I actually hears it while my stereo was on. Probably also I could feel change of performance through the pedal. I know my truck and any time there's issue I feel it via gas pedal. I am immediately aware of any new noise the arises. Someone else may not hear what I'm hearing or if so may say it's normal, but NO , NO ITS NOT NORMAL. That happened exactly at the Toyota service Department in Houma. Also the "professional" told me the rack and pinion was on the verge of failure, ready to set appointment for replacement. I said no. The "professional " said my power steering fluid is leaking everywhere. NOOOOOOO. If that were even remotely true I would have been adding power steering fluid constantly. Since I have owned this truck I never once added power steering fluid ever. Had this "professional " actually fulfilled his duty to investigate before making his diagnosis, such as cleaning the area where it was so called "leaking everywhere" , turned the wheel several times... there's no leak anywhere! Oh but he was hyped about that appointment to replace rack and pinion, which is a pricey part and procedure. How could he be firm with that false diagnosis? He never even checked to be sure IF it was actually leaking. I left a review regarding that incident, naturally greg leblanc toyota removed my review . I apologize for going off topic but I felt the need to mention the experience with a dealership service dept, knowing that all are not shady and I can only attest to my experience with this one... just stay focused when they drive a diagnosis not to be blindsided with false information. It's sad when you cannot trust your dealership service department. Automatically these "professionals" believe that girls are easy to manipulate. I wish I knew who to report that misdiagnosis to, apparently the company is not concerned with scamming consumers. So back to my pulleys, is there a serpentine belt pulley? And has anyone heard a noise such as what I described?

Can your alternator bearing squeak?? I changed my idler pulley, tensioner pulley and my serpentine belt and I'm till hearing squeaking

I have a 2009 Impala with a 3.5L V6, various places claim 2 rather then 3 idler pulleys and serpentine belts all with different lengths! Who's right??