Tricks to finding a noisy bearing or belt

[WaterDR]

Here is the history:

End of last winter, I installed a new tensioner and belt on my car (Stock 2V with Novi 2000). At first, everything was fine. Then, soon after, I was getting some noise. It was manageable at first, and goes away after the car gets warmed-up. Then, over time, it got louder, and the car would need to get hotter before the squeal/chip would go away.

Using belt dressing helps but only very temporarily. Using WD 40....helps, but only temporary. If I spray WD40 directly on the alternator bearing, the chirp goes away, but again, only temporary.

The car is in storage for the winter, but I would like to get it fixed. I just started it and let it run. I really can not tell if it is the alternator pulley, the belt, or some other pully.....perhaps even the new tensioner.

Anyone know how I can isolate the noise? I do not want to start replacing things randomly only to find that I did the wrong thing. I suspect a bearing.....

[Mullet Tuner]

Stethoscope /thread

[95 whitestang]

[Stormwalker]

Can use a long screwdriver as a stethoscope too if need be.

[WaterDR]

Can you place the screw driver right on the center of the bearing? I was nto sure if this worked on a moving bearing.

I guess a stethoscope would work too....where can you buy these?

[Stormwalker]

I usually just put the screwdriver on the accessory. I'll know which has the bearing going out, it'll be a lot louder on that particular accessory. Works in a pinch, anyway.

[Southern]

Just replace things until the noise goes away

[WaterDR]

I found one and I tried it. All the bearings or accessories I could find, all seemed to sound the same. I could not hear the chipring anywhere through the stethoscope.

[mnstang]

stethoscope is not the end all and not worthy of a /thread.

sounds like a noisy belt to me, new or not.

[RyanM]

A long screwdriver works very well

[taank]

Stethoscope /thread

[WaterDR]

stethoscope is not the end all and not worthy of a /thread.

sounds like a noisy belt to me, new or not.

The problem is not a stethoscope.....the problem is finding a bad bearing.

My thread my not have been worthy, but it was apparently worthy enough for you to post -lol

[Stormwalker]

The problem is not a stethoscope.....the problem is finding a bad bearing.

My thread my not have been worthy, but it was apparently worthy enough for you to post -lol

He was referring to black z, not you. He meant "the stethoscope is not always going to be the solution to your problem, and not worthy of ending the thread"

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

Most bearing noises dont chirp they whine or whirr

a bad belt has the chirping noise you describe. take the belt off and spin the accesories to see if you feel a roughness to any of them.

i would say a belt and make sure the tension is correct and adjusted right.

good luck

[mnstang]

He was referring to black z, not you. He meant "the stethoscope is not always going to be the solution to your problem, and not worthy of ending the thread"