AC Idler Pulley going? FIXED.. AND IT FIXED EVEN MORE!!!!!

[d1giPhux]

My car is making a squeaking chirp sound at idle, sounds basically like the beginning of this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9qMtVVLXeY

Sometimes it will squeal for a good 20 seconds and then stop when I rev the engine up. Seems really random as to WHEN it chooses to do it.

Anyone have any ideas what may be causing this? Belts are relatively new.

I think my AC Idler Pulley is either improperly torqued down, or I need a new pulley.

Anyone know the torque specs for the lock bolt nut (the one that goes THROUGH) the pulley?? I cant seem to find this info in the FSM or a section on drive belts at all.

I'll try and add a pic so people can know what I'm talking about. Its the idler pulley on the right hand side of the engine that you use to tighten the belt. Does this need to be replaced you think? Any suggestions welcome


Its the lock bolt as seen here (not sure what engine this pic is from):
http://z.about.com/d/autorepair/1/0/Y/u/94683688.gif

[d1giPhux]

No one??

Does anyone know if i should at least suspect this idler / bearing as a suspect?

[d1giPhux]

So i ended up replacing the AC idler pulley with a DAYCO 89029 pulley.. and it fucking fixed SO MUCH STUFF that I thought was wrong with my car.

Not ONLY did it get rid of the squeal / chirp sound I was having, but a problem that I THOUGHT was my transmission going (grumbling grinding sound on downshifting and letting off the gas) was ALSO FIXED! This was a huge bonus. For the longest time I thought my transmission was going because it would make a HUGE metallic grinding sound on downshifting and letting off the gas. THIS TURNED OUT TO BE DUE TO THE AC IDLER PULLEY! I CANT BELIEVE IT! BEST $22 IVE SPENT IN MY LIFE~!

I bought my pulley from Advanced Auto. I just printed out the price from rock auto ($22) and brought it into an advance auto. They matched the price and HAS ONE IN STOCK!

Rock Auto Price:
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=961371

Advance Auto Price:

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... BELTAMS___ (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Idler-Tensioner-Pulley-Dayco-No-Slack_15130007-P_806_R|GRPBELTAMS___)

This is seriously the best $22 Ive spent in a LONG time. It fixed my transmission grinding sounds, and ALSO fixed the squeal I was having. I seriously CANT BELIEVE how quiet my engine sounds now on downshifting. No more grinding and growling metallic sound as I downshift. All due to this stupid part.

I AM STOKED! Gonna post a DIY soon! More to come!!

[d1giPhux]

AC IDLER PULLEY! FIX YOUR TRANSMISSION GRINDING SOUND, and your squeals! I seriously recommend anyone to do this. He'll this is better than any $22 I've ever spent on mods. Took about 30 mins to do also! SUPER EASY! I'm double posting because of how stoked I am.. this seriously fixed MAD problems my car was appearing to have! But it was just the stupid idler pulley that has been going and making a huge racket this entire time!

[couchfuzzy]

nice, cheap and easy is always good.... ...... .....

[d1giPhux]

seriously, I would rank this right up there with some of the best mods I've done. The money to performance ratio is sick. $22 fixed so much that sounded wrong with my car.. its amazing!

There are lots of people on these forums who I have heard have similar sounds to what I was hearing, and to think.. it was all due to some stupid $22 AC idler pulley!!

[subie/legacy]

Hmm. I get that squeal sometimes.
I kinda thought I was gonna have to change the whole unit.
might have to give this a go...

[d1giPhux]

Yeah.. i definitely would. This will most likely fix your squeal and any other weird downshift noises you are heading, or start up squealing noises! Go for it man.. its super cheap, and super easy!