Hey all, my 99 max has this loud whining noise. It doesn't sound like a belt issue, could it be the water pump is on its way out?

The temperature is normal, and no CEL.

http://youtu.be/J8goDxp0JkQ

 

Sounds like a bearing.
Tensioner maybe.

 

My vote goes to the Alternator.

 

hmm alternator was changed around three years ago. water pump has never been changed though

 

My car makes almost the same noise at idle, only a lower volume. I'm thinking bad tensioner, does the noise go away at all if you rev the engine?

 

Get an auto stethoscope at Harbor Freight( they are inexpensive) and pinpoint the noise by listening to the suspect parts. They're a few bucks.

 

One way to rule out alternator/tensioner without spending any money is to remove the serpentine belt then start the engine and listen for the noise. The water pump is driven by the timing chain so you won't risk running hot. Not long ago I had to rule out a noisy tensioner and a power steering pump by just removing the belts then letting the engine run for a couple of minutes. Usually you can spin the tensioner and alternator pulley and feel or hear the bearings grinding when noisy.

 

thats excellent advice, however I've never done engine work except for replacing coils and plugs. Not comfortable in removing the belt myself, probably won't be able to put it back.

 

Removing and installing the drive belt is an easy task requiring only a few tools.

Download this Engine Maintenance FSM for your 99.

 

The belt tensioner requires a 14mm (I use a box end) to loosen the pulley bolt and a 14 mm (I use a socket with an extension) to turn the tensoner threaded bolt to loosen the belt. Personally, I think the 4th gen has the easiest belt to loosen on any car I've seen so far.

 

holy dirty engine bay batman!!! overtightened tensioner pulley i bet. or it's just shot. cheap and easy to replace.

 

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alternator. or idler pulley

 

I'm gonna adjust the tensioner pulley because the alternator was changed and maybe it was tightened too much and putting a lot of pressure on the bearing.

Anyone know the amount of torque/tension that it should be?

 

The tensioner adjusting bolt only requires 35-61 IN/ LB and the pulley bolt requires 19-24 FT/ LB.

This is listed in the FSM on page MA-10.

Over-tightening the belt tensioner adjusting bolt can damage pulley bearings. Several years ago when I changed the drive belt at 60,000 miles the AC compressor pulley bearings started whining weeks later.

EDIT: I had to replace the AC compressor pulley to exterminate the whining caused by worn bearings. Adding grease didn't solve it.

 

WOW inch pounds? I don't think my torque wrench is capable of that

I guess I can feel out the belt tension it by hand? I really have a good reason to believe the person that changed the alternator tightened the belts too much and probably damaged some bearings

 

Many years ago, I had that happen to me on a 280ZX at the Nissan dealer.
I had them replace the belts as preventative maintenance during a routine service. They over tightened the belts and knocked out the alternator bearing a couple of weeks later. I would have been better off if I had just left it alone and got my neighborhood Mobile station to do the job. I never trusted the dealer again and consequently switched brands on my next purchase.

 

Get this IN/ LB torque wrench at Harbor Freights

1/4" TORQUE WRENCH

You can purchase it for $10 with a coupon. I used it on the belt tensioner along with the valve covers and driveshaft bracket and it worked fine.

 

so I went to my local mechanic and he used the stethoscope to diagnose the issue.

Turns out its the power steering pump, and he wants $380 to replace. He suggested to just use it until failure since I still have power steering.

Weird since I tried to change the power steering pump a few months ago by pumping out the old fluid and adding more ATF. I hope thats not the straw that broke the camels back.

 

I've used A1 Cardone rebuilt pumps on my Q45 and Maxima without issue.. I usually get them for around $100 (with core) and change them myself.