I thought I had fixed the strange noise coming from the engine when I start it up by replacing the idler pulley on the serp tensioner. It's back.

I'll have to run it and see if I can use the ears to locate where its coming from.

Last time I popped the belt off and turned everything by hand and nothing made noise or felt funny. Smog and steering pumps are originals. Water pump has been on there since mid 90s. Alternator since early 2000s. Could be anything. Engine runs fine with 175k on the clock.

 

Does it happen when things like thermofans kick in at idle? My timing chain was so clapped out that when the motor was under electrical load and the idle dropped, that it would grind against the inside of the timing cover.

 

No. It starts as soon as I light it off cold, but goes away after a few miles of driving. My car has the factory dual electric fans and they work fine.

I replaced the pulley on the serp belt tensioner and that did not fix it. When I had the belt off, I spun all the accessories by hand and everything rotated smoothly.

Tomorrow I'm going to start it with the hood open and see if I can locate where it is coming from by ear.