Is this a failed (failing) bearing? (videos)

[usapadyra]

Started the car up today and got a new sound I haven't heard before.

It's a kind of scratching / squawking.

Took a couple of videos:






There has been a 'whizzing' sound since early last year (only when mild / cold out, during hot weather it doesn't happen):

Need help with 'whizzing' sound tied to RPM (video)

I'm trying to figure out what this 'whizzing' sound is. Wondering if anyone has ever heard anything like it? Best I can describe it's a kind of soft buzzing / whizzing tone, linked directly to engine speed. It's not exactly a whine, at least, I've watched 100 videos demonstrating different...

www.explorerforum.com

Wondering if the whizzing was a bearing and it has finally let go?

Thinking of getting a new idler, tensioner and belt from RA (attached image) unless anyone has a better idea of what it might be...

 

[Turdle]

You'll feel it most likely if you remove the serpentine belt, then rotate each pulley by hand.

Could be an idler, tensioner, or, alternator.

 

[Turdle]

Does sound change with cycling of the ac compressor?

 

[usapadyra]

Does sound change with cycling of the ac compressor?

I'll check this out tomorrow. Do you mean that the compressor on/off could change the noise if from the alt/idler/tensioner, or is this to eliminate the compressor as the source of the noise? I never run AC, it's actually not working atm, I believe it's a refrigerant issue, but who knows.

 

[usapadyra]

Thinking it's unlikely to be the alternator. It is less than 10k miles old, and the sound seems to be louder from the front grill and passenger wheel well. I got up close to the alternator and it doesn't seem to be emanating from there.

 

[usapadyra]

Ran the engine this morning. Noise still there.

Took the serpentine belt off and started up, no noise. Alternator feels good. Idler isn't 100% smooth and is spinning more than it should so probably almost totally dry, but the obvious culprit as far as I could tell was the tensioner pulley.

It sounds dry and crispy.



I've ordered the Dayco kit from RA that has the idler, belt and tensioner.

I was thinking of doing it super cheap and just replacing the pulley wheel on the tensioner for about $10, but I'm sure all these parts are original and I'd like to just do it once and forget about it.

The belt is also very dry and stiff. Even after running the engine first for a few minutes, the belt practically held the shape of the pulley system once it was taken out. Maybe that's normal, I dunno.

 

[Turdle]

Yep. You found it.
The belt shouldn't have a memory like that.

 

[usapadyra]

Yep. You found it.
The belt shouldn't have a memory like that.

Thanks for your help.

 

[usapadyra]

Got this done today.

Not only did it stop the new noise I was having (expected) it got rid of a metallic rasping sound I've had for the last 4 years since getting the car.

It was only present at idle, and I wrongly assumed it was a failed main front timing chain tensioner (crank to jackshaft).

This whole time it was just the belt tensioner...