Grinding noise was coming from the belt side of a Sienna engine 3.5 2GR-FE. The video shows how to find the source of the noise and how to replace the lower idler pulley. This video applies to other Toyota V6 3.5 models as well as Lexus.
Fantastic video. EXACTLY what I was looking for. Same engine. The sound clip you included of what it sounded like when it was bad is exactly what mine sounds like and confirmed my belief that this same pulley was the problem. My bolt was VERY hard to get off. Impact would make that a 3 second job. Thanks a million for the guide! PRO TIP: use the ratchet to loosen the tensioner pulley then just wedge a wrench between the ratchet and the front radiator support and just keep it there until you are done. Keeps belt loose and only takes but a minute.
Great video but you should’ve done all three. Two Idler pulley’s and one tensioner pulley. They’re so cheap and you’ve already taken the belt off so it’s easy to replace them all. Thanks for posting
Thanks. Same exact idler went bad on my 2007 Siena. I ended up just replacing both of the idlers. I left the tensioner pulley alone because I didn’t have the part. Tool wise, I recommend purchasing a serpentine belt removal kit from Harbor freight. It comes with a nice long and very thin wrench you can use to help out. When loosening the belt tension, you’re right it is a two person job. While a family member was up top loosening the belt tensioner with the HarborFreight tool, I was down below with an Allen key ready for locking the tensioner in the detentioned state. The harbor freight tool is pretty cheap and if you’re going to be doing other serpentine belts or pulleys it’s definitely worth the investment. That same tool worked on my 2007 Honda Accord and I plan to use it with the newer 2017 Sienna I now have.
Same one that went out on mine and I just changed it 2 yrs ago with an eBay pulley. Idler pulleys and tensioner pulleys are terrible on 08 and up 3.5 L. I’ve owned many Toyotas and Lexus prior to 06 04 02 00 98 95 94 90 yrs and never had any ever go bad they had at least 190,000 miles on all of them or in the 300,000 range. This Rex 350 has given me so much grief.
Having an L shaped serpentine belt remover is highly recommend. The long straight tool is hard to be used with this engine specially when putting the belt back and/or inserting the allen key into the tensioner. Check this loaner part from AutoZone Part # 24687 SKU # 13620. Having a helper is really needed for inserting the allen key. Autozone gives you the option to return or keep the tool. It's worth the double trip to the store.
