1994 V6 XLE (1MZ) Idler Pulley Noise, AFTER Replaced

[Jeeves]

Alright, I've got the 1MZ-FE in my camry. After about 6 months of squealing and squeaking, I bought the >$70 upper idler pulley (It's the one that's held in by a 14mm bolt and sits between the Cam gears (a bit lower actually) behind the upper timing cover.

So, I pull off the dogbone, I pull off the aluminum dogbone tower, and pull the timing cover. I pulled out the old pulley, and sure enough, you could shake it an it would rattle. Definitely not the sign of a good bearing.

I replace the bearing and bolt with the new one, and away we go.

Now, a day after the install, I start hearing more funny noises. I pop the hood and hit the new pulley with a shot of spray lithium grease and sure enough, it shuts up. I haven't pulled it off yet, and I'm relatively nervous to. Any particular reason this bearing could be making horrid noises a day after install, other than just a bad bearing?

Thanks for any input!
-James

[ASG14]

Did you properly torque it on?

[Jeeves]

Should be at 43ft-lbs (IIRC), Yes. Like I said, if I hit the bearing itself with white lithium grease, it shuts up.

[Eye8Pussies]

it sounds like there's something wrong with the bearings in the pulley itself....

unless....you forgot to put the spacer back on (I don't remember if there's a spacer on the middle/top pulley)?

[Jeeves]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

it sounds like there's something wrong with the bearings in the pulley itself....

unless....you forgot to put the spacer back on (I don't remember if there's a spacer on the middle/top pulley)?

Unless it managed to slip down and I NEVER saw it, I didn't see a spacer.

Time to dig into my tech manuals.