Noisy Scraping Noise Coming From Front Left Of Engine Bay

[Chris32]

I have this whining typenoise coming from the front left of my engine bay

I think it could be either the power steering pump or the air con compressor perhaps?

Anyone have any idea?

chris

[Bl4cK32]

does it do it all the time chris?

Mine used to make the scraping noise when turning, turned out to be a ps pump leak (low fluid)

Now it makes a scraping from the same area only when the aircon is switched on. I need the aircon compressor rebuilt (new bearings, maybe clutch as well)

[Chris32]

Yeah, I think its the air-con, as I have been using the de-mister quite a bit recently, it gets louder with this on

You reckon thats what it is? After about 2 mins its almost not noticeable, when I start it, its louder

PS Fluid level seems ok

[Bl4cK32]

could be. Drop in to an air con place and get someone to have a quick squizz is the best bet.

There is also the aircon belt adjuster bearing under the front left, which mine was making some noise. stick yer head under and have a listen if its that as well..

[Chris32]

will have a look on the weekend and see what the deal is

Where do you reckon the best place to take it would be?

[Bl4cK32]

havent sorted my aircon isses yet

Maybe ask in the SA section where people have had their air con done with good success?

[maximumrpm]

i have the same prob on my r33 gtst....was wondering what it was too...pls let me know when u get a answer

[wrxhoon]

If you think its the air cond pump, disconnect the belt and see if its quiet . Power steer pump would be noiser when under load, like when you are turning the steering especially on full lock.

[Chris32]

Whats the easiest way to disconnect the belt?

[wrxhoon]

Whats the easiest way to disconnect the belt?

Get under the car and loosen the bolt on the adjusting pulley then keep turning the long adjusting bolt until the belt is loose.

[Chris32]

And then jsut remove the belt I take it?

[Chris32]

Had a more detailed look last night

Definatley coming from the aircon compressor, and a bit of noise coming from the adjuster pulley as well

How do I remove the belt? Looking at it, I'd have to remove the power steering pump belt as well to get it off?

[jeffworld2]

can this belt just be removed? im not a fan of air con, and want less pulleys to turn. if so, will the heater and fan still work, i assume the belt is just for the compressor

[Chris32]

Thats what I am trying to find out!

by the looks of it, its just a matter of backing of the belt tensioner and slipping the belt of the compressor, but to get it out, it looks like you have to take the power steer pump belt of too

Trying to find out a answer before I dive in and give it a crack

[RANDY]

If it's anything like the R33, then yeah, the belt comes off after you undo the LOCKING nut, then undoing the tensioner bolt.

From there, the AC belt is closer to the motor than the psteer belt. (on the harmonic balancer) so you'd have to do the same process to get that belt off so you can completely remove the AC belt.

On the AC, the locking bolt is the one facing forwards, at the top. you can get a socket onto it through one of the holes in the pulley. Without doing this first, the tensioner bolt shouldn't budge.

Might want to post pics, and then we can confirm. I still think it's strange how people buy cars with all the good bits, then remove them (hicas, AC etc) =-[ On the racetrack, I understand, but for a daily driver... =-o

[Chris32]

The reason I want to take it of is to see if it stops making the noise first. Anyway, its winter, so I can get my aircon fixed well before summer comes around

[Chris32]

All fixed, turns out it was the aircon tensioner pulley

Replaced it on the weekend, and it sounds fine now.

Interestingly enough, when I took the old one off and comapred the two side by side, the bearing in the one that came of the car felt reasonable, I showed my dad and he said to spin it with some load on it, and sure enough you could feel the bearings grinding away!

Very happy, was easy to do as well!

Chris

[wrxhoon]

You can just replace the bearing, they are about $2 from any bearing supplier.

[Chris32]

Yeah, I asked the guy at the wreckers about that, he said that most people end up damaging the pulley. I might have a crack with my old one, and if it works, there will be a pulley with a new bearing up for sale