1993 mtx loud grinding sqealing noise

[mmmadog]

I looked at a used 93 that has a fairly loud noise up but the alternator or maybe the idler pulley. Sounds alot like a dry bearing sound. Just want to make sure it nothing real serious. It has 146k on the clock.

 

[dohcsable]

you'll have to find which one it is, but I'm pretty sure they're all pretty serious if either belt breaks

 

[mmmadog]

Iam not sure thats what it is. Iam trying to make sure its not something worse. The car has sat about 2 years and looks like they put a different alt. on it because the original is in the trunk and the battery light tries to come on at idle. He said it has a new battery but it looks like new 2 yrs ago. He said he did the screwdriver to the ear and said he didnt think the noise was the alt. or the upper idler pulley. The engine was quite except for this whirring noise. Thanks for any help.

 

[rbruso]

The best way to tell would be to pull the accessory belts one by one and see when/if the noise goes away.

 

[JRA2000TL]

The best way to tell would be to pull the accessory belts one by one and see when/if the noise goes away.

^ This. Without wasting alot of time and throwing parts at it, pull the belts and run the car. If it goes away, you've significantly narrowed the problem down to the accessory drive and nothing internal engine wise. Pull the alternator/AC belt first; then try the other one (power steering belt).

 

[rubydist]

if its that bad, you should be able to tell on the various pulleys which one has the bad bearing, once you have removed the belts.