Over the last 20k my Max has been making a sound near the belts that sounds like worn bearing. The idler pulley and belts are new. The dampener has cracks all over the rubber section. The noise is like a vibration or hum that's loudest at 3000-3300rpm.

Has anyone had a vibrating noise go away after changing the harmonic balancer?

 

might wanna check into your A/C compressor clutch too.

 

im pretty positive its not the harmonic dampener seeing as our cars dont have one. what rubber section are you referring to? the oil seal behind the crank pulley?

 

Dave -

Try turning on and off the AC to see if the noise changes. I would place my money on the AC bearing. Mine makes a noticible difference with the AC on and off ... Another way to check it would be to pull the belt, start the car up and see if it makes the same noise. At times the noise bothers me so much I bypass the AC unit with a 37" belt just so it doesn't continue to upset me, but then it gets bloddy hot and I put up with it. Sucks cause I can't get the AC clutch face off (with out mangaling it I am sure) to replace the stupid bearing. I have the bearing sitting on my desk! Uggghhh .... lol If anyone has any tips on how to do this, I am open ears / eyes.

The rubber seal has cracks due to age I think ... mine has the same look to it as well. Howerver ... how can we not have a harmonic balancer ??? I thought the effect of having it was to help throw the crank around using centrifical force (spelling ?)?

 

I have a minor noise like yours that I've had for the last 70K miles. Everything is still ok, and the noise is intermittent. I can't track it down either. I got another bearing type noise about 25K ago and I had actually worn out my crank pulley. It got bad really quickly though, unlike my "other noise." If yours it getting bad rapidly, suggest you check out the crank pulley. Mine has 245K miles on it now and I have a 75 mile round trip daily.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

 

my crank pulley/ harmonic balancer had cracks around the rubber section and it would squeal for about 30 secs when first turning on the car. When the shop took it off the two halves literally fell apart!!! imagine what would happen if that pulley comes apart while driving.... its worth checking out! and then go with some goodyear gator belts, theyre the best in my opinion. by the way a stock one is $199.72 at NAPA, thats with TX sales tax already.

 

It does not change when the A/C is on or off.

Harmonic Dampener = crankshaft pulley. It's got a hub and a rim and rubber in between. Mine is cracked through the rubber more than this one:

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...n-picture.html

Dave

 

^^^^ did you read my post?

 

http://cosmoracing.com/productinfo.asp?cid=199&pid=1174

http://catalog.nissanpartswholesale.com/

a couple of options for you Dave .... just a quick goo search and I found these. With no change in noise with the AC on / off ... I'd say your noise is coming from the cracked rubber alowing too much movement. Makes me wanna go and check mine. But ... then again, I don't have that noise, mine is deff from the AC.

Jim

 

Well, it could be the alternator or power steering pump...

I think I'll get a good crank pulley and install it, then put the belts on one at a time to try and figure out if the noise is associated with the power steering pump or alternator.

Dave

 

Pull all of your accessory belts and start the engine. Any noise?

Then reinstall the crank/power steering belt. Any noise?

Then reinstall the crank/alt/compressor belt. Any noise?

 

Oh ok I know what rubber piece you guys are referring to now. Heres a good thread talking about if we have a harmonic dampener or not:
http://forums.maxima.org/general-max...r-engines.html

JtzMax, about you not being able to get the AC clutch off, you do know that there is a special tool for that? You can usually rent the tool from an auto store.

 

Here's what you need.

http://www.autozone.com/R,346871/sto...ductDetail.htm

 

The point of my thread was more whether a failing crank pulley makes noises like I described. My pulley has not yet broken loose.

I think I'll get a low mileage used one and go thru the belt game.

 

Dave - sorry to jack your thread mate.

Black - I know ... but nobody around here has that tool. I was actually told to find a Snap On sales rep and ask them for it. LOL I can't afford to spend Lord only knows how much (Snap On = NOT cheap!) on a tool I will only need one time. I tried to make my own, but .... well I am not McGeiver. My swiss army knife and chewing gum just wouldn't do it.

 

i wont look like its broken loose because the belts and the outer pulley is holding it together. watch when you take it off.... itll poof!