Need some help isolating a noise which sounds like a bearing going bad. It's coming from the passenger side. It could either be the alternator, the a/c compressor, or the belt tensioner. The sound is distinguishable, despite of other engine noises that you will hear. I took 2 videos, see link below. They are mp4 files to keep the file size down to a minimum while maintaining video quality. Windows Media Player 9 can play these files back, as usual Quicktime works as well.

Thanks

Please right-click and save first:
Video 1 (9.2mb)
Video 2* (1.8mb)
(*I kept the camera on the crank and tensioner pulleys, the tensioner has a very slight wobble almost unnoticeable, which I am not sure if its normal).

 

I saw/listened to the clips... its really tough to tell. The most likely failure is the idler pulley/tensioner.. but its hard to say that with certainty. Try to get a mechanics s***hescope or use a long piece of hose and see if you can carefully place it closer to each part and trace the source. You could also try to tighten/loosen the belt to make it louder - that might help identify the source too.

 

Thanks for your input. At first, I really didn't notice it until a friend of mine pointed it out. He was like, what is that sound?? Sounds like your alternator bearing is going bad. Since then, I have been constantly hearing that sound...damn him!

 

I saw one of those idler pulleys on sale at one of the sponsors sites for $44.00 - I have replaced these before (not on my Max). You might want to go ahead get one of these if you can't isolate the noise since you did notice a slight wobble. You could try varying the tension on the adjustment bolt- it should change the pitch of the noise.
I
'll see if I can locate it again and post back.

 

Here is a link:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...5&model=Maxima

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

Hey better price!!! thanks njmodi $38.61