WTF is this new noise my 3.4L is making.

Take the belts off one at a time and turn the engine on. You will know right away if it's one of the pulleys or bearings. Just don't run the engine for more than a minute with the water pump or alternator not spinning.

And don't tighten the belts too much or it will kill the bearings. Just a little bit tighter than they need to be to not squeal when under load.

 

Water pump not an issue. It's timing belt driven on the 3.4 v6. But if all the belts are off and it still makes noise. Then it's something with the timing belt components.

 

X2. ^^^

If it's the whine I'm hearing tho, it sounds like the power steering pump. Hard to hear on my phone. Not sure if I also hear a clackity noise or not, or if it's just the injectors. Again, first step is to diagnose like said above. Whether or not it's external or internal. Water pump would be worst case scenario. Don't let that go. I did. And it was not pretty. Lol. Mine was a lot worse sounding. Bearing and grinding and clackity sounds. It shouldn't hurt the motor if it does fail tho. Just make sure you shut her down immediately if anything happens.

 

Did you find out what's going on?

 

I just used the long screwdriver thing ac idler pulley was pretty loud. so i got a new one researching how to put it on right now!

 

Yeah so all I needed to do was drop the front skidplate and unbolt the retainer nut for the pulley. Then put the new pulley back on and re bolt the retainer nut. Feel the tension of the belt before so you can kind of gauge the tension when you are done. Mine was about 1/4 - 1/2 in slack when i pushed down onthe part of the belt farthest between the crank shaft and the A/c. It sounds super quiet now. Also the old pulley was pretty loose from the blown out bearing. Like i could move it a little bit with my hand.

 

Can u post pic of the old one?

 

Here is video of the old one. Yes I know I did not replace with the best possible part but I was already at Autozone and they lent me tools. Also this part literally takes 30 min to replace if I had to do it again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5clRLv63Qw

 

I've heard of people cleaning and regreasing these idler pulley bearings before they get worn out. Does anyone have a link showing how to do this? It doesn't have to be on this forum or even a Toyota forum as these types of pulleys are used on a lot of cars.

 

This guy shows the basic idea. I would add that you take both sides out and wash bearing out with solvent or carb cleaner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np5dcns64Fs

 

But the new one was so cheap like $24

 

Not every bearing will be that cheap,

 

But I'm worried that cheap=low quality. Will the new bearing wear out after a year or two? I'd rather try to keep the original bearing if it's still good. In your case it wasn't still good. At least I'd like to compare the merits of regreasing vs. new aftermarket vs. junkyard part vs. new OEM part. If it's easy to clean and regrease I'd try it.

 

I can tell you on my 04 the AutoZone a/c idler was stamped steel and the factory one was cast steel. About 4 times heavier then cheap AutoZone one. The bearing is replaceable in the OEM one. The one in the video picture above looks like an OEM one.

 

Do you have a source for OEM bearings?

 

I used to know the part number off the bearing. If someone had it I could source it.

 

6301 on ebay or Amazon. Common bearing some auto parts stores may stock it.
Search for 6301 bearing

 

The bearing doesn't need to be OEM to be high quality, FAG and Timken make super high quality bearings as well as NSK All of those brands are great stuff and should stock a common size like the 6301

 

Yes, that's correct. I should have asked for a source for high quality bearings, or OEM quality.

 

The highest rated on Amazon is this one.

$15 6301-2NSE Nachi Bearing 12x37x12 Sealed C3 Japan Ball Bearings

https://www.amazon.com/6301-2NSE-Be...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PGDEHYJ1KNERPATC5QWD
But SKF or Timken would be good also.