Whining noise, belt squeak or water pump?

[remppainen]

My 2007 Corolla E150 1ZR-FE is making whining noise. It is coming from the left side of the engine. It gets louder when the AC is turned on. It loudens when RPMs rise. After stopping the car, a 2-3 seconds and the noise goes away (or at least gets more quiet)..  I have 95 000km in the ODO meter, and people say that this models water pump goes bad at 100tkm. The serpentine fan belt has never been changed. There is no cracks in there and looks good, but its 12years old..

I attached the video clip from the noise.

What do you think its coming from, the water pump, fan belt, ac compressor or pulley bearing..?

Thanks in advance!

[oldcodger]

Hi,

It could be a worn belt in that its stretched beyond the limit of the auto adjuster.

As a simple test If you get hold of the belt in the middle of an open area  you should be able to turn the belt about 1/4 to 1/3rd of a full turn and no more if the tension is ok.

At that age, it well worth replacing, as if it lets go, you loose power and cooling.

With the belt off, spin the two pulleys  and see if they make the noise, they are both reasonably easy to remove and replace.

Also spin and feel the shafts of the water pump and the alternator, any roughness or bearing movement ?

Check the dampener assembly of the auto tensioner as its coupling can wear and become very loose.

If that does not reveal any clear fault, some folk use a long screwdriver or car stethoscope to listen to each item,  the noisiest one may be the problem, But it need to be done with great care in that area with all those moving parts !!

If everything is ok, there is a chance it could be from timing chain, if your engine model is fitted with one ?   If its had proper regular oil changes it should be ok ..