Squeaky Engine

Highroller814 · Oct 6th, 2006, 10:55 AM

I have a 97 pathfinder that squeaks like a pig, i believe its comming from the belt drive in the bottom front of the engine since i replaced both the tensioners for the a/c and the alternator and the drive wabbles quite a bit. I just have no clue how to fix the problem. Is there a bearing in the front of the engine that can be replaced to stop the squeak? If anyone else has had this problem please let me know how to fix it.

dvdswanson · Oct 6th, 2006, 05:47 PM

the belts may be glazed from squealing for a long time, you may need to replace them to take care of it. try cleaning the pulleys, dont use an oil-based spray its only a temporary fix. check the idler pulleys to see if their bearings are worn out, and check the tension on the belts. just a little loose the belts will squeal. even a little dust will cause it to.

Highroller814 · Oct 7th, 2006, 09:37 AM

Dave, That was my first solution to the problem, but it only made things worse, my only idea now is that i might have accidentally overtightened the tensioners, and that in turn did some damage to the main bearing. But I know for a fact that its not the belts themselves.

Any other ideas?

**88pathoffroad** · Oct 7th, 2006, 11:42 AM

There is no "main bearing". The crankshaft turns on a series of bearings inside the block.

Try removing one belt at a time and see if the noise stops when you pull one. Spin the accessories by hand to see if they make any noise with the belt off.

Highroller814 · Oct 7th, 2006, 12:28 PM

Thanks 88, I'll try that and see what happens.

Burdabit · Oct 7th, 2006, 09:43 PM

FWIW, I had my belts changed a week ago in preparation for a trip and they have been squealing ever since. It got so bad that I took it to a Nissan dealer at my destination who immediately asked whether they were after market belts. When I said they were, he said that always happens with AM belts but he agreed to look at it to make sure they were installed properly (they were). I'm going to call my mechanic about it next week.

littlefish · Oct 10th, 2006, 09:42 PM

Most After Market belts (AM) should not cause a problem. I have seen belts tightened too tight cause a squeal because they were being jammed into the groove too tightly. Plus it wears the accessory bearing badly. IMHO Gates has a line of heavy duty/industrial belts that is as good a belt as anyone on the planet can sell you. Be it AM or a "Factory" belt made by someone besides Nissan. Face it, Nissan does not make their own belts. This is just an opinion from a old man with over a million road miles.

Highroller814 · Oct 11th, 2006, 12:40 PM

So how tight should the belts be? is there a rule of thumb for how tight/loose they are?

dvdswanson · Oct 11th, 2006, 04:11 PM

I beleive its a 1/4" play up and down on the longest part of the belt. 1/2" total.

Tifo · Nov 27th, 2006, 10:06 AM

OK, hope no one here minds that I dug this back up.

On my 98 Pathfinder, I have replaced the both the idler pulleys (on the A/C and the Alternator) and the accessory belts, and am still having this high-pitched whine/noise. I can't isolate it, and am concerned that it is coming from the timing belt tensioner pulley. I did the timing belt job two years ago when the water pump went out at 60K miles, but didn't see the need (at the time) to replace the tensioner. Could that be what is making the noise? Is that the normal symptom when it starts to go? I really don't want to basically do the timing belt job again to replace the tensioner only to find out that it isn't the source of the noise.................but I hate the thought of catastprophic engine failure as well...if you know what I mean. Anyone have any ideas? I've messed around with the belt tension and the noise hasn't gone away.

Thanks in advance!

Highroller814 · Nov 27th, 2006, 10:18 AM

Tifo, I'm having the same problem, i thought for a little that it might be my ac pulley, but thats a lot of money to sink into it, and apparently since only repair manuals say that you should replace the timing belt tensioner, then most mechanics don't think to do so. If that works out for you, let me know, that squeak is killing me.

Zilverado · Nov 27th, 2006, 01:21 PM

When it comes to tracking down these types of noises, I like using a mechanic's stethoscope, quite cheap at a parts or tools store. Same idea as the medical version, just with a long metal end instead of the circular pad. You just stick the ends in your ears and then place the other (long metal) end on the various components to try and pin point the noise (just don't touch a rotating pulley

).

I find this has worked for me a number of times when I'm trying to find the source of a noise. Sound travels well through the steel and aluminum parts on the engine and is easily transfered into the stethoscope.

Just a thought...

Tifo · Nov 27th, 2006, 01:23 PM

I've been thinking of doing just that. There is a Harbor Freight around the corner from my office and I might stop in there to see if they have one.

Zilverado · Nov 27th, 2006, 01:47 PM

Good idea. For the amount it costs, it's a great addition to a tool collection.

littlefish · Nov 30th, 2006, 10:18 PM

If it is a belt/pulley surface rubbing that is causing a problem, get a bar of soap and rub it on the belts, one at a time. Then start it up and listen. If the squeaking stops, it is friction between the belt and one of the pulleys on that belt drive. If it does not stop after all the belts have been checked, then it has to be a bearing. The soap will come off in several miles of driving with no damage as the belts warm up.

Make sure to look at the belts/pulleys to verify nothing is out of line. I have seen missing bolts on a power steering pump cock the thing sideways and cause a constant squeal because of the angle the belt drove the pulley.

You did not say if it was a constant squeal/squeak or intermittent.

Best of luck...Littlefish