A couple of weeks ago I started hearing this noise coming from the accessory side of the engine. I've had an alt. bearing go out on a different car so I believe it might be that. Last night while driving I came to a stop and the sound was really loud. I checked everything and couldn't see anything besides hearing the noise but it was dark. This morning I checked the camshaft position sensor and I see that it is leaking. I searched and see that I can get it from the dealer but I wanted to know if anyone got just a o-ring from a hardware store and if so what were the specs on it. I just installed my eibach pro kit and struts/shocks so I was cruisin at about 90mph for like 30 miles and I didn't hear the noise till I came to a stop. Maybe oil got on a bearing like the idler or alternator? Here are pics and a video I took this morning.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFes6nXkpfI

 

You'll just have to match one up, most stores tend to have a set of o-rings behind the counter.

Have you removed the belts yet to isolate the noise to a specific pulley? Likely it's the tensioner pulley.

 

If I take the belts off how should I check which pulley makes noise? I don't think I'll be able to figure it out just by spinning them by hand.

 

And why don't you think so?

Don't take both off, take off the Alt/AC belt and see if the noise goes away.

If it's a bearing for the alternator or tensioner pulley, you should be able to feel it.

 

I replaced the o-ring and it's not leaking anymore. The "bearing" noise got worse though. I bought a belt and was on my way home to replace the tensioner assembly when I start smelling something melting or burning and it kept getting worse. Looks like there is smoke coming from the ac clutch or bearing.

I grabed my camera here's a video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdMkzsce0K0

I don't know what is going on but it is smoking. I was reading the stickies about changing the ac bearing. All this from a little o-ring.

 

Did you actually check the tensioner pulley, or are you just throwing parts at it?

Have you not checked the compressor pulley? Was the AC on or off?

Why do you assume that your bearing issue is a result of the leaking CPS?

 

I pulled into my driveway, opened the hood and saw smoke pouring from the ac compressor. I don't know what caused it. I didn't check the tensioner pulley but I have an extra used one. I didn't just buy a whole bunch of parts. I have 74k miles and I don't know if the belt was replaced so I figured I should replace the belt while checking the tensioner. I'm thinking about going back to the store and returning the belt for a shorter one.

 

I took the belt off and the tensioner pulley spins and sounds good. The ac compressor pulley is hard to turn and sounds like sandpaper. The clutch on it still stinks.

 

I used a 35.5" 5 rib belt and I was able to put it on by hand. I put it around the crank pulley first and then around the alternator. I also replaced my tensioner assembly with a used one that was in better shape. Car sounds perfect like it used to. Now I need to figure out how to get this ac clutch off.