[samb0rg]

Hi guys, went for a trek on sunday to suss out a new camping area, took a few hours, did around 160k, lots of bumps, a little bit of water, nothing serious. Started the next morning and noticed a sound coming from the engine that is almost identical to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5HIVBYmfFI

Doing some research, it looks like it could be the timing belt tensioner that has worn almost to the point of disappearing altogether.

Does anyone have any other ideas on what it could be? I was pretty low on oil, so filled it back up and the noise still remains, though more dull (due to the oil).

If it -is- the tensioner, is it a big job to swap it over? I've got a spare belt, and the tensioner is ~$45 from suzistore. I'm guessing I'd have to get the engine out to get in there?

Cheers for any advice/opinion!

[Scrawny]

I'd start by removing the belts off the front and run it for a short time. If the noise is still there then pull the timing belt off. You don't need to pull the engine out, it can be done in place. You can pull the radiator to give you more room. I would suggest replacing the water pump too as it sits behind the belt.

[christover1]

did it stop or change with foot on clutch...sounds like a clutch throw out bearing...water can do that

[skyman]

You can also take a metal dowel rod or piece of garden hose to try and isolate the source of the noise. Place one end on your ear, and the other on the alternator, then the water pump if you can get to it safe, P/S and A/C pumps etc. You will be able to tell where it is coming from if it is outside the engine.

The garden hose is better for hearing different types of sounds than the metal dowels are.

[samb0rg]

Cheers for the replies so far.

Scrawn - I won't damage anything with the visible belts off and running the engine for a few minutes?

Christover - Noise doesn't change with clutch, it's still there. It gets more high pitched the higher the revs go, just like in the video.

Skyman - I'll try and find some hose or dowel and have a look at it soon.

[christover1]

Alternator bearings may have died, as has been said,
water and mud eat them too.
But with its belt off, you will know if it is the fault