Need some help locating a bearing noise. Not sure if it is Water Pump, Idler Bearing, or Tensioner Bearing. Anybody have a way I can narrow this down? If it helps it squeals like crazy when first started in 40-50 degree weather. After 5 minutes or so it stops. Has gone all Summer here in Denver without a sound (has not gone below 50 for a while) Thx in advance for any ideas.

YotaPagota

 

How many miles until your next scheduled timing belt? Best time to check for all of that stuff, and you'd probably be replacing half of it.

There's not a whole lot you can check without tearing down the front end of the engine, but you could pull the accessory belts off and see how the alternator and fan bearings feel/sound.

Mine was making a similar sound, not squealing when cold, but making a dry bearing sound in cooler weather that went away in warmer weather. It hit 200K and I did a TB/WP on it and found the tenerioner and idler pulleys were just a bit dry sounding and loose feeling.

 

The sound may be caused by bad main bearings or Faulty rod bearings.

 

Rod bearings go clank clank clank, mains go clunk clunk clunk, neither of them squeal unless they're bone dry and the engine is living out its last few seconds of life before seizing up solid.

 

You can isolate the power steering pump, A/C compressor and alternator by removing drive belts. Beyond that, you could then use a mechanics stethescope to attempt to further isolate the source of the noise.

Buckaroo

 

Thx guys, appreciate the replys. I like the idea of using a stethascope to narrow down the sounds.