2003 Camry XLE V6 belt noise - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nmason.tech · 01-22-2010, 10:44 AM

Hello All,

New guy here, the background on this is that I have had my 03 XLE for a little over 3 years now and it's been running like a champ until recently. In the past two weeks while the engine is running there is a type of noise coming from the serpentine belt. It sounds the loudest near the alternator but I'm not 100% sure if it is coming from there or not. The noise is a little odd to describe but my best guess is that it sounds like a whirring noise as the belt turns a pulley over. The only other thing I could think of that might be doing it is if the tensioner pulley bearing is going out and something is rubbing in there. It doesn't seem to be affecting the engine performance at all but it is noticable while driving and the stereo is off. If this is something I can diagnose and fix myself a few pointers would be great.

Details:
3.0L V6 - 65636 Miles
Noise emitting near/around alternator while running

If anyone has any tips or info I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks,

NMason

01-22-2010, 10:52 AM

Welcome to TN!

johnnyzee · 01-22-2010, 03:02 PM

hard to tell unless you pull the belt off, of all pulleys, I'd assume the tensioner is at fault, as it usually goes to $hit first (siezing bearing). With that kind of mileage, you might as well replace the belt, and check the tensioner / replace it while you're at it.

It's a pretty easy DIY to change the belt.
www.camrystuff.com has manuals.

gdanaher · 01-23-2010, 08:03 AM

You can generate a shade tree stethoscope using a piece of rubber tubing. Holding it near each of the components will let you know where the sound is coming from.

johnnyzee · 01-23-2010, 09:58 AM

^cool trick thx

nmason.tech · 01-29-2010, 05:16 PM

Thanks for the tip!

It sounds like it's the AC clutch pulley, like a bearing or something might be sticking. As mentioned before it doesn't seem to be hampering performance at all, and when I turn on the AC it gets a little louder but otherwise AC works fine gets cold in a jiffy. Am I able to use some kind of lube on that pulley to get things back in shape?

Thanks for your help.

Nick

cam22 · 02-26-2010, 03:43 AM

Hey Nick,

I'm driving the same car (Japan built XLE 03) and have the same problem. The sound comes from the A/C magnetic clutch, a very weird metallic sound can be heard when it's turned on. It gets worse on freeway, the faster you drive the louder the sound is inside the car, besides you can feel a kind of a weird loss of power each time the clutch is turned on. It is not a constant sound, it appears when you turn on the A/C or when it's on automatic and turns itself on each time to maintain the preset temperature. The V-belt is not the reason for, it has been replaced and is brand new.

The higher the RPM the louder it gets. My dealer says there is nothing wrong and the compressor sounds fine, but there was never such a loud metallic noise in the past (as well as not such a significant power loss, feels like a strong wind blow hitting you in front of your car). I have looked on the internet and found this TSB.

http://www.toyotapart.com/2002-2003_...T-AC001-03.pdf

The problem is I do not live in such area with "hot high humidity conditions". Have you solved your problem? I can't believe I have to replace the compressor with its built magnetic clutch, this is not very Toyota-like you know