Rick2001A4

I have this squeal you can hear in the video below. It gets louder as you rev the engine but then sort of gets drowned out. I have sprayed water on all the pulleys and no matter where I spray the noise temporarily stops. I bought some new belts to replace them but after looking in there the belts look like they are in good condition and I could't easily remove the AC tensioner so I stopped because I wasn't sure that was the issue. I have looked in there best I can and don't see where any of the pulleys are misaligned or the belt rubbing on the side of one. I currently have 230k miles. The timing, serpentine, and ac belt were replaced around 190k, about 4 years ago. The alternator was replaced either before or after the timing belt, I can't remember - probably 30-50k milea ago.

Is there any way to figure out what this noise is without just starting to replace stuff? Someone said it might be the fan clutch bearing, the fan feels pretty solid and doesn't move when I try to shake it.

Just looking for a little help trying to figure out how to find and fix this.


Video of the noise

Thanks,
Rick

David.Norton

That sure sounds like metal on metal, so I don't think a belt. I would take a piece of rubber hose, stick one end in my ear, then use the other end to listen to each rotating part. That way you can isolate what it causing it. Just be careful when you do it, it is easy to get the hose caught. If it does get caught make sure you let go of the hose, don't let it pull you into the car.