Bad Idler Bearing/Pulley

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In this video I explain how to test a bad idler pulley
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Oz Mechanics, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Oz Mechanics assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Oz Mechanics recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Oz Mechanics, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Oz Mechanics.

[@OzMechanics]

**Want to own the tools I use ?? Click on the amazon link below to get my top 5 Tools I use** Automotive Test Light- amzn.to/3z1Pdxa Flexible Backprobe- amzn.to/3Pyr3zO Multimeter- amzn.to/3PbuT23 OBD Scan Tool- amzn.to/3zaNWnq Wire Piercing Probe- amzn.to/3OecWhT

[@sampathk1212]

There are so many useless videos in KZbin but you did a great work. Thank you for your effort.

[@Fruit_Infiniti]

For those asking what the engine would sound like before and after: It sounds like this bad pulley except amplified and obnoxious, like a spinning can full of rocks. Mine sounds like an airplane while driving, intensifies with speed increase, even in neutral. After, I imagine the sound would be gone. My car is doing this now.

[@blessethishe]

would been nice to hear the noise before you disassembled it.

[@boxing4life410]

I no idk why all these guys do that

[@mmtv8727]

It’s like they are slow or something In the head we don’t wanna look at parts we wanna compare the noise

[@luisponce1472]

Blessthishe, when The Tensioner is Bad Take the belt off and Spin it , if the Tensioner Spins Fast, then it's Loose and your belt can Slip off also makes a Grinding Noise

[@Mansini77]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to creating and uploading the video.

[@OzMechanics]

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[@jodijotuk1845]

Thanks for your video Eva Mobile mechanic who told me that I had a bad idler pulley & IAC needed to be replaced. So I get an IAC and idler pulley, I text him that I have the parts and no response for two weeks. Finally he messages back so she just got into town, he said it isn't the idler pulley it's the power steering pump pulley. So I go spend my police with the belt off and idler pulley has wiggle, just replace the tensioner so I know it's not that. The original noise. It was making was the sound of a rock in a can. I related that to a bearing, I'm not convinced that it's the power steering pump pulley. However, I'll replace the idler pulley as I believe after watching and asking questions in forums that it's the idler pulley. The reason I'm not so convinced about the power steering pump pulley is because I do not have the typical symptoms. I don't have fluid on the ground, it doesn't make a terrible noise turning the steering wheel. The only time it makes the grinding noises when I am trying to back into a tight spot and have it turned all the way.. any ideas?

[@toddfarkman2177]

Very insightful video. I'm hearing a noise around the belt and not sure what it is. Your procedure seems very simple, but often noobs don't know what simple things to do. Thanks for posting. Hopefully it's just the tensioner, at worst alternator.

[@geoalberta7711]

Yup. Going to try this and save $$$

[@johnnycash5456]

Thank you so much for this video help me out lots. Appreciate it

[@sergiov8198]

I would of liked to hear the noise of the engine before and after but good vid

[@tbe7132]

What I was thinking but with out the good vid part 😂

[@andrehollins4261]

Exactly. It's the entire thing I'm trying to find right now and for some reason no one thinks it's relevant to share the sounds the engine is making. 🙄

[@jaket9198]

You would presume he would film the bad noise so we all can compare to our old bangers 🤣👍 nice 120 for my mondeo st full pulley kit no point changing one the others will come back to bite you

[@RockyNerd]

In the case of the 95 cougar i'm working on, the tensioner pulley has this grinding noise when "finger spinning"-- the noise, when idling, is very loud, grindy, metal/metal sounding. if you've ever heard a car that idles loudly, i'm told it's usually one or more of these pulleys gone bad. i'm replacing the tensioner and idler pulleys on the cougar this week.

[@phatbob426]

It sounds like popcorn popping almost of the pulley clanking.

[@chrisescudero4714]

Yup, its definetly my pulleys. Thank you soo much.

[@OzMechanics]

If you feel like this video helped out, feel free to support the channel by donating. Just one click away on the link below, to help support the channel :) www.paypal.me/ozmechanics

[@SteliosStelsTV]

All I needed to know was if the crankshaft should spin freely and you solved it for me .. thanks 😊

[@ScriptureFirst]

Thank you for your brevity & professionalism

[@TheTHEMADGRAVITY]

Incredibly helpful buddy

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

This is spot on bud! My pulley sounds like a bell is ringing and so it has to be that water pump pulley! Thank you for this !

[@glendasmith7480]

Awesome demo. Many thx

[@Shabec2982]

Super helpful, subbed.

[@mikecont9742]

Great tip

[@rzxkp7none275]

Thank you.

[@algutierrez7728]

great video thank you for another helpful video.

[@OzMechanics]

al gutierrez thank you. Keep watching for more videos and share for support

[@shinaaz95]

@@OzMechanics What pulley would it be if the noise comes only when the AC is on

[@epsucro149]

I like the video!!! Thanks!!!! I have a 2018 Chevy Trax thats making a noise when the car is idling i'm thinking its a Idler Pulley going out? But when I accelerate from a signal light or stop sign i can barely hear it only when i come to a stop I can hear the noise ticking chirping noise...

[@sunsetz897]

Thank you!!

[@formula1dizzie326]

Solid straight to the point💯

[@OzMechanics]

Thanks Jordon !! Try my best to make them as best as I can

[@marioneta6612]

thanx fo the vid..

[@stevestokely2884]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@ramonatrujillo155]

Wished I could of heard the noise also,, just put on a new belt,, wished I had known before I put it on,, but thank you for showing

[@finalsnipe8278]

Ill have to check this. Im sitting here thinking power steering or even fan clutch but now I suspect that pully. I have a very similar sound on my 2001 pathfinder.

[@PoleHillWanderer]

Thank you

[@godbless4731]

Thanks

[@DaytonaShooter]

Good advice. Thank you. If love to see a video on how to fix AC compressor.

[@OzMechanics]

Awesome. Glad you passed by Maurice hope all is well.

[@rayg3074]

good info

[@djentyman4002]

Yesterday I had a hell of a drive. There was a high pitched metallic grinding noise when I sat in idle. Then there was a burning rubber smell then my steering seized up. Apparently the idler pulley bearings seized and were rubbing and burned the belt and lost my power steering pump

[@antonioanore7243]

sir good pm.id like to ask question about the noise on my car on 2nd and 4th gear coz teruble noise on there only on 2nd and 4th gear when is on running time.thanks lot if u give me idea

[@rubensoria7457]

GOOD TO KNOW.........

[@banparlous2552]

Are the tensioner pulleys supposed to spin freely?

[@stoneykelly9622]

There is no noise. I've replaced the tension pulley and belt but the belt has come off twice. It's a 1990 ford xlt f150, straight 6.the bottom left pulley is where it came off.

[@andybub45]

You're right about the stethoscope method. Tried that and thought it was the alternator. Replaced it, and then spun the idler pulley by hand and realized that it wasnt the Alternator, it was the idler! Ugh.

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

Great video

[@OzMechanics]

ScrewsNutsAndBolts thank you for watching

[@screwsnutsandbolts]

You're welcome :)

[@sheldonm3535]

Just curious. What happens if one doesn’t replace the pulley. Will it eventually? Lock up? I’m changing my alternator and water pump this weekend. Gonna inspect all the pulleys. It’s a Camry 2010 2.5L i4 LE. With 190k miles.

[@ShaqBrown2x]

Nice video

[@anthonyrichard8001]

thx!

[@jonathansimpson1106]

Thumbs up! Good stuff!

[@OzMechanics]

Thanks for watching

[@_Aliens_]

helped me.

[@OzMechanics]

Hey there Aliens 👽 glad this video helped out bud.

[@johntahan2189]

Hello Oz, nice video, great content, I have question for you and maybe you could help with this. I have a Mazda Tribute 2008 4 cyl. I lost the serpentine and noticed that the top pulley was loose, so I removed it and say that the washer behind it was damaged (it's for the power steering pulley) according to a diagram I found online. The pulley is still good, not damaged. Would you know where to get that washer part without having to change all the pulleys? Many thanks, John

[@floridaplumber7512]

Good video thanks

[@nicholas8479]

Should a new idler bearing have angular (rocking or wobbling) play?

[@mkrp4]

These pulleys are using bearings with C category internal clearance (larger than normal) to compensate for thermal expansion and slant (or tilted mounting) The new Gates Idler pulley with unknown bearing has larger play than worn and dirty NSK bearing in my 12 years old idler. Most bearings on the market are made to C clearance which in turn has very wide tolerances themselves. Moral of the story: used OEM part from the junk yard can be a better alternative to the new, nicely packaged, free shipped aftermarket POS from Amazon.

[@MrBspalding1]

I have a 2000 Silverado (5.3 V8). Last Night I heard a God Awful Sound, knew right away it was a Bearing. No idea which one though. This Morning, the Sound stopped and I smelled a Burning Smell. Got to Work, saw the A/C Belt was gone. So, now it's hoping that it was the A/C Tensioner pulley that was bad and not the Compressor. My Question: What would cause the Belt to Snap? Could the Bearing being bad gotten so bad it Seized Up causing the Belt to get Hot?

[@William1866]

My AC was broken due to a fluid leak. The AC seized up from the AC clutch engaging. Although the AC was off, it will engage in the defrost heat setting. I disconnected the power to the AC and it's been working fine for years now.

[@justinvenuto7887]

Whitch idler pully was that?

[@steveshih4622]

Thanks for the video. How much time do I have once the pulley is acting like the bad one in your video? Will it get worse or louder before it falls apart? Thanks again.

[@OzMechanics]

Yes. They will get louder and louder

[@steveshih4622]

I know you can’t give me an exact answer, so if today is the first day that noise happened, do I still have a few hundred miles before it’s serious? Not risk sounding stupid. Thanks again for your time and patience.

[@OzMechanics]

Personally I would get it fixed asap

[@Woodywu2010]

@@steveshih4622 I think they can extremely have several thousand miles before seriously damage. They just louder and louder. This pulley already get very very louder.

[@davidnorbertgarza]

great tip, i had one go out also..

[@OzMechanics]

D. G. Thanks for watching and support.

[@jilliannunya3271]

Oz Mechanics

[@manna5610]

My belt keeps coming off but it looks good and the tensioner is tight on the belt. Would a failing or seized pulley cause this to keep happening. Did it twice now.

[@mkrp4]

One accessory is "tilted" relative to the belt (pulley is not parallel)

[@nvirmusian5318]

When I give gas the car makes noise like metal can it be the alternator?

[@jayneal2122]

If a pulley tensioner was bad when your car is running would it sound like a rod knocking or a lifter knocking something knocking

[@rileymoore3290]

the beast from the east east answers

[@wet8556]

I replace my idler pulley and it still isn’t moving

[@doityourselfdiy2220]

And I like what you did but what if the noise coming from the serpentine belt because it's vibrating a lot I change it the pulley tensioner and the serpentine belt and it still making vibrating in the belt causing rattling noise mine is Altima 2012 thank you

[@aryannameko]

You should show how you took off the belt

[@OzMechanics]

Removing a belt is different on all vehicles. I would have to make a lot of videos explaining the different ways

[@knolez1546]

My tensioner pully is gone. Spins like crazy and the rattle is horrid

[@asultan7838]

any squeaky noice rattling noice after ac on noice starting engine noice moving stoped car noice and go away, its not only belt its the whole pulley , replace both noice mostly come from the pulley barring , don’t have to buy expensive tension pulley barring usually made in japan if it is you good for another 10 years but change the belt every 60k to 70k miles , if a mechanic says need to open up whole ac compressor means he don’t like you or he is late with his rent or simple he is a crook,

[@ptyptypty3]

high high did you have to lift the ENGINE in order to get the Idler Pulley out?

[@OzMechanics]

I did not

[@philipmaguire9209]

How test crank

[@ronmcdowra3059]

i have a 1998 ford windstar i had the power steering pump replaced it still makes a wining noise what would it be please help me

[@OzMechanics]

Ron Mcdowra there might still be air in the system. Damaged hose or pump that could be damaged out the box

[@cinderella1395]

Step one diagnose

[@heathenthatheretic5960]

I tried your method and I hear nothing so far but it's load as hell when the car is on. The belt is less then 6 months old so. I'm at a loss

[@William1866]

Even though the pulley works fine the spring mechanism in the belt tensioner can go bad and cause misalignment, thus causing squeal. It's a common problem for belt squeal.

[@masterofreviews1668]

Anyone notice the paper fly into the engine at the beginning😂😂

[@OzMechanics]

Good catch

[@thurmanburman4456]

Didn't I sale you my old yellow Monte Of with the pinned down hood.. Had a backfire on one of the spark plugs and a bad console shift wire.

[@OzMechanics]

Thurman Burman yellow monte ?

[@DuncanBM]

Can this mess with the timing?

[@OzMechanics]

Have t seen it before

[@kamranalam5321]

my suzuki alto is breaking belt after 10 or 15 days

[@reinaldonieves1964]

Hello I have a 2009 Lexus rx350 and when I go to turn it on first thing in the morning as the engine cranks up there is a winding sound, it’s coming from where the pulleys are located. One person said it was a bad pulley another person said it can be the water pump going bad. This winding sound has been going on for a lil over a year. Any ideas?

[@johnjoseph7382]

water pumps tend to start leaking a lil when they go bad

[@reinaldonieves1964]

@@johnjoseph7382 so is it the water pump it self or the water pump pulley?

[@johnjoseph7382]

@@reinaldonieves1964 they are always together as one, you can not just replace the bearing of a water pump....when water pumps go bad the weep hole will leak more than normal....it's likely going to be the tensioner pulley but you can confirm by pulling the belt and spinning all the pulleys by hand

[@ericcorne1606]

Need 2 get 2 the point more

[@gto6t5]

The A/C has a magnetic clutch…you can’t test it that easily

[@OzMechanics]

The compressor has a bearing on it. So yes by turning it you can hear if the noise is coming from there. Thanks for watching

[@worldpeace5853]

Hi, Please watch my 2012 ML350. Do you think the noise is because of idler pulley? This comes only during cold starts (only first start in the morning and not later starts). Moreover it does not come in the summer or warm weather. I just replaced the PCV valve and intake gaskets due to P2279 error. This noise was there even before replacement but till date has never been an issue. I also changed serpentine belt an year back. Please tell me what you think after watching the video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2OVqX2Hl65rqa8

[@bennryan2]

this guy lied to us

[@OzMechanics]

Oooooo no I’ve been exposed

[@bennryan2]

it will be okay