2003 Sequoia loud groaning noise from front of engine

MacNobody · Sep 6, 2017

My wife's 2003 Sequoia 4.7 V8 just started making a loud noise at idle. It gets louder when the RPM goes up, and she said that it kind of stutters/stumbles when under acceleration from a stop light.

I captured a video of the noise at idle in our driveway. It almost sounds like a bad bearing or something, but I cannot find the source of the sound. Could this be a belt pulley or even the drive belt?

hardtopte72 · Sep 8, 2017

That definitely sounds like a bearing. It could be something simple like an idler or more difficult like a water pump (timing belt driven) or drive belt accessory (alternator, power steering, etc.).

The easiest thing to do would be to remove the drive belt and run the engine for a short period of time to see if the noise goes away. If it does, you can be sure the noise is related to something drive belt related.

If not, it may be something timing belt or internally related to the engine.

MacNobody · Sep 9, 2017

Thank you hardtopte72.

I removed the belt, started the engine and the noise was gone.

I found that the drive belt tensioner pulley is the culprit.

I bought the part, but the Haynes manual says there is three bolts, but there are four bolt holes on the part.

Does anyone know of a video or more detailed removal/installation instructions?

2003 Sequoia loud groaning noise from front of engine

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