Our 01 Maxima makes a scraping noise from the front of the engine when running. I wouldnt call it a grinding noise, it sounds like a piece of sheet metal ridng on a pulley. A lot like if your brke shields rub on your rotors. I dont see anything obvious, My next step was going to be to figure out how to remove the belts and spin everything by hand and see what I hear, unless someone has any other suggestion.

 

Yep. That's what I would do. Take off the drive belt, spin the alternator, compressor, and idler pulley by hand. See if you can reproduce the noise.

 

Is there a how-to around for getting the belts off easily? looks like a difficult area to get to.

 

the main drivebelt is easy. they one you'll have problems w/ is the power steering belt. i used crows feet to do that one, since that's what i had laying around. there's got to be an easier way.

 

To temove the alternator and a/c belt, you first loosen the bolt that in in the center of the idler pulley, then turn the adjusting screw.

As for the power steering belt, you loosen the pump mounting bolt and turn the belt adjusting screw. It is a pita, but... Here is a how-to video of this being done on a 4th gen, but it is pretty much identical for the 5th gen.

 

Cool, thanks...that should help some !

 

maybe the splash guard is rubbing

 

If you take that belt tensioner off then its far more easy... While ur at it grab a cosmo lightweight pully... Mines is only 9months young but absolutely zero problems since install

 

What is a "Cosmo pulley" and where do I find them ?

 

It is a smaller diameter harmonic balancer/crankshaft pulley that people concerned with improving the performance of the car will use. There are other brands besides this one. By using a smaller diameter pulley, you will turn the alternator, power steering pump and a/c compressor at a slower rpm. Doing this reduces the drag on the engine and that power can then go to the wheels. You may have to get smaller belts for the alternator, a/c and power steering, I'm not sure on that though.

http://www.cosmoracing.com/productin...d=199&pid=1174

 

Okay, I think it is the A/C compressor making noise. It feels "coarse" when i spin it, and seems to have some endplay.

Can anybody tell me what size belt to use to bypass the A/C compressor for now.

And also advise me in the proper order to put the idler back on ! It all fell apart when I got the nut off because my hands dont fit in there. The is a bigger washer and a smaller washer n either side of the pulley, which goes on first ?

TIA

 

Also, another question i saw....Right in front of the idler tensioner mounted on top of the frame rail is about a 2" plastic disk thing with a vacuum line to it, what is this ? I noticed the PO kinked over and taped the vac line.

 

this is a horn

 

LOL, it looks kind of like a horn, but its not that. It has a vacuum line to it.

 

lol take a picture of it

 

This thing !

 

That is a horn, specifically the one for the security system. It's supposed to be mounted on a bracket. Instead of wrapping the wires in tape, nissan put them in a tube which makes you think it is a vacuum line.

The belt that goes around the a/c compressor is 43 1/2 inches or 1100 mm.
The belt to bypass the a/c is 36 1/4 or 920 mm.

 

Thanks, I cant believe its a horn LOL ! and why did the PO kink and tape the wires then.....strange....It was late and cold last night when I was looking at it though.

Had to order a belt, nobody had one in stock, but should be here today.

 

[QUOTE=Concealed_1911;8649367]This thing !



i told u im thinking about buy some new ones the i35 horns are way better

 

LMAO....ya, what a wierd place for a horn, whod'a thunk it !

Got the A/C bypass belt on....nice and quiet now !