Engine noisy

[curterj145xr]

My engine has a grindy, whiney type of noise to it that seems to be coming from somewhere in the top end. Initially I thought for sure that it was either the power steering pump or a bad idler pulley because it seems to be loudest on that side of the engine. But after popping off the serpentine belt and running it, the noise was still there. I also disconnected the water pump belt just to sure that the problem wasn't there (even though the noise seems loudest toward the other side). That basically means that it is coming from the inside of the engine. It has had this noise since I bought it, but lately has seemed to be getting worse. It has 166K on it and the cams were done at about 118K.

Any ideas?

 

[SHOZ123]

I would take the accesory belt off and see if the noise disa[[ears. I chased a "block" noise for a while and it truned out to be the alternator.

Better yet look at the belt between the tensioner and the alternator when the engine is idling. Is the belt and tensioner moving around?

 

[curterj145xr]

With the belt off, it still makes the noise. And with the engine running, the tensioner and belt seem pretty solid - i.e. not jumpy.