I've searched and found some info, but I want to know how to really fix this. I'm doing my drive belts this weekend, and I figure its probably best if I can fix this too.

Anyhow, I have the well known crickets noise coming from the drive belt area. My belts are in ok condition, I'm changing them out this weekend.

After searching I've heard its the idler pulley and other people have told me that too. If it is this, how do I fix it? New pulley?

Please let me know how I can fix this and any DIY or write-ups would be great..

I have a 2002 btw...

 

Get a replacement idler pulley from Nissan.

I tried the auto stores and they do not show them available.

Replacement is a breeze.

 

So it is the idler pulley that causes the sound?

 

I have this similar sounding noise when I first start my car. Is there a timing chain tensioner that may cause this noise? or is it just the idler pulley?

 

Most probably. But without knowing other symptoms, you'll never know.

Creaking noise especially related to RPM is normally an idler pulley gone bad. Or else the belt is squeeking. These noises are different from each other.

 

Refer to EM-8 in the FSMs, I found this:

Squeaking
or fizzing
A B — B — C
Drive belts
(Sticking
or slipping)
Drive belts deflection
MA section
(“Checking
Drive
Belts”,
“ENGINE
MAINTENANCE”)

Creaking
A B A B A B
Drive belts
(Slipping)
Idler pulley bearing
operation

Squall
Creak
A B — B A B
Water
pump
noise
Water pump operation
LC section
(“Water
Pump
Inspection”,
“ENGINE
COOLING
SYSTEM”)

 

There you go, must be the idler pulley...CREAKING...

 

press out those $7 bearings and press in some new ones....

 

I ordered a new idler pulley, so I'll change that with the belts this weekend.

I searched the FSM for directions on changing the idler pulley and couldn't find anything.

Are there any write up for the idler pulley? Or can someone tell me what section of the FSM to refer to?

 

There is no specific info on changing the idler pulley that I can find either, but the accessory drive belts replacing and adjusting are on page MA 13. The idler pulley, it's adjuster bolt and the pulley bolt are retained on a bracket which is simply bolted (with three bolts, I think) to the front timing chain case. A "whiney" sound from an accessory drive belt can very often be caused by an overtensioned belt. Have you tried slacking it off a twitch?

 

^^Thanks for the feedback, I saw the diagram on MA-13, but it doesn't have very specific instructions.

My belts don't look very good so I figure I should change them first before I try anything else. And while I'm at it I'll change the Idler pulley also, it was only about $60 from Nissan.

 

I posted a DIY pictures on Alternator replacement. In it, I detailed the removal of the Idler pulley, it was easier for me to get to the ALT. Check it out. Search for ALTERNATOR.

 

Good option rather than the $60 Nissan wants!

Afterall it is just the bearing that failed!

 

I tried searching your user name and found only 4 threads started by you.

Can you post a link please?

 

Yeah sure it was posted by COLONEL.

Right here >>> http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...ernator-2.html

 

Good luck!

 

Thank you sir, got it!!