300TDI Whining Noise - Getting Worse

[libertyts]

Hey guys,

My 300TDI has started to whine a fair bit over the last couple of weeks or so. It started off only happening on occasion, but is now doing it all the time. It has been getting progressively worse since the power line run I did last week in the mud and water.

Originally I thought it was a gearbox noise. Wasn't a surprise, had just bought oil to change it out. But I spent a little more time trying to figure it out the other day. Seems to be coming from the very front and tends to be loudest near the aircon compressor.

It gets higher pitched up the rev range. Its not really noticeable until your over about 1400/1500 RPM. Though you can hear it still if you're in the engine bay, but it's only faint at idle. In some load conditions it appears to almost go away for a sec but that usually last for about a second or so.

It seems to be worse today and I am probably going to slowly drive the poor old girl home tonight and leave her at home until I have it sorted. I just don't like the sound at all!

Please help oh wise people of the forum. If it's something simple and not fatal I will be over the moon, if it's a little more sinister then I may need some help getting through this tough period. :p

Thanks all

Chris

[Tank]

Disconnect the serpintine belt and the air con if fitted and run for a short time to see if it is something driven by the belts, Regards Frank.

[Judo]

I agree with Frank, sounds like a pulley/bearings on the front of the engine. You can run the engine with the belts off, give it a rev while standing at engine bay and see if the noise is gone. If so, check the pulleys 1 by 1 until you find the problem.

[libertyts]

Alright, that sounds like a good idea. I thought about it but wasn't sure if it was an option. Is there anything running off them that is critical that I need to be careful with?

Anything that is a common failure around there?

Thanks

Chris

[jboot51]

As Judo said, more than likely a bearing in one of the pulleys.
Easy fix, $4 per bearing.
Just take the belts off and spin by hand.
There should be an A/C idler and tensioner, so that's 2 bearings.
The main tensioner is another.

If none of those then check the Water pump, alternator or power steering.

Then there is the big dollar item.......the fan pulley bearing.

[Tank]

You should only run the engine long enough to determine if a belt drive accessory or tensioner/guide pulley is responsible for the noise, if there is no noise in a few seconds after start, you will know that the noise is in one of the belt driven parts, should only take a few seconds, remember the water pump and alt. are not working with the belt off, good luck, Regards Frank.

[libertyts]

Ok all, that sounds good. As soon as I get home bits'll be comin off! See how it goes and I will let you all know.

Thanks

Chris

[libertyts]

You're all going to love this! Heading home this arvo to have a play and figure out what's up. Well I found the problem, but I seemed to have discovered it on my home!

The noise changed and then I started to get the smell of burning rubber. Hmmmm, something isn't right here?!?! I pulled over, lifted the lid and discover wisps of smoke coming from the now very much seized idler pulley at the bottom of the A/c belt!

Off goes the engine, off goes the belt and off goes the pulley to have a squize. Hmmm, ouch!!! Just a little hot, you idiot!! Yep, well and truly seized, never to move again. The belt is now a bit worse for wear, especially as I cut it off (wasn't pulling the serpentine belt off on the side of the road!).

I did a quick ring around to the local Super Cheap and Repco. Well neither of the stock that belt. Super Cheap can get me the bearing but that have none on hand. Repco however, can't even source the bearing for me. "We don't stock many Land Rover parts, not worth it." ARE YOU :censored: SERIOUS!?!?!?! I promptly told them to stick their pathetic product lines and came home. Oh and they both wanted over $40 for the belt that I would "possibly have to wait 10 working days" to receive!

Now for my current issue. What would be the best place for me to source both the belt (may as well get both while I am at it) and the bearing. I am thinking I might replace the bearing in the tensioner pulley as well, just to be safe. If anyone knows somewhere around Perth...ish that I could get one that would be great. Otherwise online at a decent price and with a decent shipping price will be all good.

Thanks all,

Chris

P.S. Seriously, that pulley was insanely hot and I decided I would pick it up. MORON!!!

[jboot51]

the idler,A/C tensioner and the main tensioner are all the same bearing.
NTN 6203LU.

The main tensioner you may need to drill a small hole to remove the circlip.

[jboot51]

Bearing supplier should have them. $4 each

[jboot51]

Linnrover WA
Home (http://www.linnrover.com.au/)

[jboot51]

intentionally left blank

[libertyts]

I was thinking Linn Rover, just wasn't completely sure. I will give them a yell tomorrow morning and maybe send the missus on a drive out there. Better still, I might see if I can't get some of the arvo off from work and go say hello myself! :p

The belt is a Dayco 4PK 1320, so I am assuming that probably means its a 4 Rib and 1320mm long as it appears to be.

Well if they are likely to about $4 I will probably do the bearings in all three. Saves the hassle if another one decides to give in on me. Anyone got any tips in regards to getting the built-up rubber off that is now on my idler pulley? There is quite a bit of the rubber from the belt stuck on there now. Was thinking of just getting my little butane soldering iron\blow torch on it to heat it up and scrape it off that was. Otherwise, will turps or something help clean it up??

Thanks

Chris

[jboot51]

Scrape the rubber with a Stanley knife.
Or you could get a rip-it disc for the grinder, a nylon abrasive disc that won't hurt the steel.
61172 3M | Clean & strip abrasive disc,115mm coarse | 456-2748 | Welcome to RS Online (http://export.rsdelivers.com/product/3m/61172/clean-strip-abrasive-disc-115mm-coarse/4562748.aspx)

I have bought them from bunnings.