General Whirling sound around accessory belt area.

[raymondjiii]

Hi, I have a 2013 Fiat 500 Sport with 30k miles on it. Rarely driven. Now when I start things up there's a whirling sound that can be heard in the general area of the accessory belt. Letting the car warm-up a bit the sound decreases but does not go away completely. The serpentine belt "looks" okay. There is never a starting problem, nor are there any lights on the dash. I remember years ago with my Saturn SC2, the various pulleys, idler pulley, auto-tensioner, (and after 25+ years the alternator died). I have never done a timing belt change yet but I was planning on doing it this coming Spring 2025 when I have warmer weather for a week or two. I do no think this is a worm water-pump bearing, not sure what a bad timing belt would sound like (if it would sound like anything). I'm willing to do some swap out of parts if the there's a good guess on what this might be.

Thank you,
Ray

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Ray,

A quick and easy test:

With motor off,
spray some lubricant

ACF50 /WD40, SPRAY lube
On the inner edge of the serpentine belt,

Does it sound better / different?

 

[raymondjiii]

Just to close the loop on this thread. I replaced the auto-tensioner (and a new belt) and the auto-tensioner was definitely the problem. Hard to explain exactly what I found with the old auto-tensioner but I'm glad that this repair is finally done. Was waiting for a few warm days in a row. As many of you likely know, getting the "stubby" allen wrench in that minimal slot and 1) getting the old one out and 2) getting the new one in, is a task. Works much better if you have two people though - I did not have that luxury. You can jack the engine if you want to do that, I prefer to avoid doing that if possible.

 

[varesecrazy]

Just to close the loop on this thread. I replaced the auto-tensioner (and a new belt) and the auto-tensioner was definitely the problem. Hard to explain exactly what I found with the old auto-tensioner but I'm glad that this repair is finally done. Was waiting for a few warm days in a row. As many of you likely know, getting the "stubby" allen wrench in that minimal slot and 1) getting the old one our and 2) getting the new one in, is a task. Works much better if you have two people though - I did not have that luxury. You can jack the engine if you want to do that, I prefer to avoid doing that if possible.

Good to hear,

did the spray make any difference?

 

[raymondjiii]

I have to admit, I was scared to try it. I was just thinking where is all of this WD-40 going to possibly end up.

 

[varesecrazy]

I have to admit, I was scared to try it. I was just thinking where is all of this WD-40 going to possibly end up.

It's only needing a light spray

Saved a full engine rebuild years ago on my Dad's Ford Pinto

Horrible noise ( presumed bottom end failure..)

A spray of the belt, all went quiet