Advice Please - Noise From Aux Belt At Low(Ish) Revs

[benmc1985]

Hi all

Any advice would be most appreciated. I have recently bought an 06 reg avensis D4D 2.0 - 106,000 on the clock, just had timing belt done before I bought it and very well looked after in terms of services. Very solid little car expect one issue - between 1000-1600/1200-1800 rpm there is a high pitched noise/rattle and the same noise but quieter when idle.

I took it back to the dealership and they have had two independent garages tell them its a minor issue down to the age of the car. However, I took it to a family member who is a mechanic and they said the noise is coming from either the pulley/pump for the air con or power steering - he worked this out by taking off the aux belt for these and the noise disappears.

The dealership have given me three options:

1) live with the noise as it will not impact on the car and they will give me a bit of compensation (couple hundred quid) - worth noting I have a 6 month warranty on the car still.

2) they will have one of those two pulleys/pumps replaced with no guarantee the noise will stop but will take no further action if the noise is still there

3) Take the car back for a full refund.

So, what do you reckon is the best course of action? I've read elsewhere you can bypass the air con with a smaller belt (much cheaper option than replacing)? Is it an issue I should be worrying about?

[gazza1286]

It's entirely possible that the noise is caused by belt slippage as opposed to wear on specific pulley bearings. Is the belt tensioner worn/tired? I recall seeing a video on YouTube with a sound clip for a Celica with a worn tensioner. This may assist.

[avensisd4d786]

If its the 1cd-ftv old 5 speed 2.0 diesel. It will be the air con clutch pulley. The pulleys are not available from toyota. You need to replace the aircon pump to fix alternatively fit a shorter belt to bypass the ac pump.