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I知 experiencing a whining noise from the engine on cold starts that gets louder with RPMs. I isolated the noise using a stethoscope to the belt tensioner pulley and after doing some research it appears the tensioner replacement is a big PITA.
I知 willing to do the job but not really in the mood to tear everything down while it痴 cold out, so I知 wondering if replacing just the pulley is a viable solution for the time being. Has anyone replaced this pulley and what has your experience been like?
Here is a recording of the noise I have.
https://youtu.be/xipfABZxBes
2GR-FE with electric power steering but the tensioner is the same, buried between the block and the AC compressor.
I need to get my tensioner pulley replaced as well. Debating if I should just replace the pulley or the whole arm
I ended up replacing just the pulley and the whining noise is still there, so I don't believe the noise is from the tensioner assembly.
I purchased two new idler pulleys and a new belt from Lexus and will be trying them as my next step. It was difficult to diagnose the problem as there isn't a lot of places you can place the stethoscope on, so it's hard to isolate each pulley.
It's possible that the noise is coming from something else like the power steering pump, the water pump, the alternator, or the A/C compressor, but I'm trying common wear-n-tear items first as they're relatively inexpensive and should be done anyway.
The tensioner pulley is comprised of two bearings, size 12X40X17 (width x OD x ID). I discovered by chance that the Gates/ACDelco pulley # 36174 is a direct replacement. That's what I put in ours two years ago and is holding up.
hi @chuyrobles sent you a pm re the pulley specs you posted in post7.
Update I can confirm that the Gates/ACDelco pulley # 36174 is a direct replacement for the tensioner pulley. Saved me $100 over the cost of a new tensioner assy as well as several hours of labor to install the assy (though if pressed I would have bought the assy and just used the pulley) Well done @chuyrobles
I知 experiencing a whining noise from the engine on cold starts that gets louder with RPMs. I isolated the noise using a stethoscope to the belt tensioner pulley and after doing some research it appears the tensioner replacement is a big PITA.
I知 willing to do the job but not really in the mood to tear everything down while it痴 cold out, so I知 wondering if replacing just the pulley is a viable solution for the time being. Has anyone replaced this pulley and what has your experience been like?
2GR-FE with electric power steering but the tensioner is the same, buried between the block and the AC compressor.
I have a chirp coming from my 08 230k and I smoked a burning smell sometimes in the vents. I want to use a stethoscope to find the chirp but how do you do this ? Thx. Never hear of such a thig.
@loliwin55 Gonna have to look up a youtube video on that. Regardless of source of chirp, with that many miles, I would replace both the idler pulley/ bearing and the tensioner pulley/bearing. With the serpentine belt removed, you can then check for bearing play at the PS, water pump, and alternator pulleys. I’m more concerned with your alternator. It has a decoupler pulley. Ours seized at about 130K and blew out the alternator. Lexus does not mention the decoupler pulley by name, but Gates recommends replacing it every 100K. Thy average $30-$50 and you need special tools to remove it.
11-03-21, 07:17 PM
Serpentine Belt Tensioner Pulley
