Help with diagnosing engine noise

Hello all,

My first post here and I'm hoping you can help either diagnose a problem or tell me I'm crazy. I recently purchased a 2004 3.4 V6 D-cab with 62000 miles on it. Now that I've driven it a bit, I'm noticing all the sounds. I've got a noise that seems similar to what I've seen described on the idler pulley bearing. I changed the pulley yesterday and the noise hasn't changed. I tried to get it on video:

http://youtu.be/kvvHEXBHWAo

Any help is appreciated.

 

I wonder if it is the idler pulley for the timing belt. The truck will be due for a belt at 90k anyways.

 

Noise seems similar to what I had. It was the clutch & pulley hub as there is play on the hub itself that can create that noise.

 

The belt can be taken off and the idler pulley can be spun by hand and should spin freely.

 

thanks for the replies, DriverSound - if I take the belts loose will I be able to feel the play? Doesn't wiggle at all with everything tight.

 

You're gonna have to take the fan clutch off and play can be minimum. The hub should spin freely. There's a bearing pressed into the aluminum hub/mount and cannot be replaced. If the noise doesn't bother you that much, you can wait a bit until the noise gets louder.

 

I should probably clarify that the idler pulley I replaced was the one that tensions the ac compressor belt.

 

Is that the one on the very bottom of the front of the motor? That's the one that usually makes noise first.

 

yep, that's the one

 

I suggest you wait until you're at 90K when you're doing the T-belt as you have to remove those parts anyway. I know it sucks about the noise but as long as it doesn't affect driveability, you're good to go. Save your money until that time. I think the whole assembly is like a $200-300 part.

 

I guess that's really the point, whether or not it's something I should worry about...thanks for the replies