Thread: Tensioner bearings or cat?

Sounds like someone put a cat under the hood. The sound is a high pitched whirring noise that follows the rpm's of the engine. Makes the same sound whether in gear or in park and modulates with the engine and also follows the rpm's of each gear. Anyone have the bearings go out on the belt tensioner? Any other ideas?

see if they spin freely as well

power steering fluid level?

Yes it could be alternator, or belt tensioner pulley bearings. To test, take the belt off. Spin each pulley. The pulley should NOT spin freely and quickly.

It should spin yes, but it should also have drag on it, so it will spin and then quickly stop.

You can just get a new tensioner pulley, they are cheap. You could do it even if you are not sure. You do not need to replace the entire tensioner. However, if the tensioner is failing and not holding the belt tight, thus making a noise, you would need to replace the entire tensioner.

It is kind of hard to tell without being there to hear it though.

If it is loose, that would be rare and would have probably come off by now.

tensioner wheel does spin freely. I also used the "stick to ear" method while running and the sound was most prominant at that location. Thanks for all the good advice!