strange sound coming from alternator power steering res area.

[Toushi]

http://youtu.be/uER27FXhEUw
Here is some video.... I thought it was my wp but now I'm thinking its the tensioner pulley? Or the power steering pump. When I rev the sound goes away.

[jstern]

You should remove your serpentine belt and start spinning things by hand. Include the engine fan. It sounds like something is hitting something else.

[Only1Balto]

You should remove your serpentine belt and start spinning things by hand. Include the engine fan. It sounds like something is hitting something else.


That's what I would recommend. I'd take the time to remove the belt and closely inspect everything.

[Toushi]

I'm 80% sure that it is the power steering pump.... It might be dirty fluid or filter, or a bad pump, my rack is fine, but just did a four hour drive and my forearms are super sore! It was getting pretty difficult to turn.

[jicaino]

If it was the PS pump you wouldn't hear that unless you're actually excerting some force to the steering wheel. It might be the pump coming loose and the pulley hitting some hardware, or the pulley screws loose enough to allow pulley rattle. I see something weird on your belt in the video, is the belt phisically OK on its entire circumference?

[Djscottyc]

Im really curious as to what this sound is. Post as soon as you make any new discoveries.

[Toushi]

I won't be able to take better look at it until I get home... but I first thought it was the WP because it sounded like a gurgling sound... the video kinda disorts it, like a pump isn't getting enough fluid. I narrowed out the WP, so.... that's why I say I'm pretty sure it's the PS pump. It could be I have a clogged filter/lines, and the fluid is having a hard time getting to the pump.

@jicaino You can't see the belt in the video... I think you saw my fan. The belt was recently replaced and has not defects I can see.

I'll keep you guys updated.

[sleuth255]

sounds like the fan to me. There should be no play. It will feel absolutely solid on the shaft if its good. Also it looked like the fan was hardly turning in your video. I've never seen mine turn that slowly.

[Ed CT]

There's coolant or water droplets on the upper rad hose - do you have a leak? Sometimes belts make that ratchety sound when they get wet. As others suggest, take off the belt and spin things around checking for roughness in the bearing, look for leaks around the WP and associated housings/hoses.

[jicaino]

The only thing that could make that noise is a badly effed power pump bearings... not the pressure side. If things got that messy it's better to get a junkyard replacement, or spring for a new one if you're planning to keep the car for a long time. You're right I thought that the reflection of the fan was the belt.

[Toushi]

Update: Fire my car up this morning/afternoon to check on it, and the sound.... is gone? >.> Interesting.

My fan has 0 play in it. The fan is turning fine it's just my phone camera that makes it look weird. Also I had just finished bleeding my coolant that's where there is water there.

Thinking about it now..... >.> I think it was the oil pump gurgling. It had like 5 quarts of oil in it, and I recorded this before I drained and filled it. It now has 6.5 quarts which is probably why the sound is gone. Hmmmmm.

[jicaino]

sounds grindy not gurgly. Then again, phone cam/mix...

[Djscottyc]

that sounds more mechanical than gurgley. like bearings or a pump.

[Djscottyc]

Update: Fire my car up this morning/afternoon to check on it, and the sound.... is gone? >.> Interesting.

My fan has 0 play in it. The fan is turning fine it's just my phone camera that makes it look weird. Also I had just finished bleeding my coolant that's where there is water there.

Thinking about it now..... >.> I think it was the oil pump gurgling. It had like 5 quarts of oil in it, and I recorded this before I drained and filled it. It now has 6.5 quarts which is probably why the sound is gone. Hmmmmm.

If we were low on oil could the oil pump make this noise?