For a while now my 86 V6 has had a strange engine noise that comes and goes at idle. At least I can only hear it at idle. It sounds like a light ticking/squealing sound...kinda high pitched. It doesn't seem to do it as much once I come to an idle after driving for a while or getting the engine nice and warmed up. From best I can tell, the noise is coming from the passenger side of the engine...more specifically the crank pulley. I checked and double checked the serpentine belt, but that's not it. I also rooted around with my mechanic's stethoscope...listened to the alternator, water pump, even the oil pan/bottom end of the engine. The exhaust doesn't seem to have any leaks either. It really sounds like it's coming from the crank pulley and not the top half of the engine. Could this be the harmonic balancer on it's way out? I have noticed when I try to set my ignition timing the timing mark seems to bounce a lot, it doesn't stay still...someone on the list (I think Ed Parks) suggested that this may be due to a worn harmonic balancer. If this is the case, how tough is this job? I just recently bought an air compressor and air tools, so I'd think I should have sufficient hardware for the job. Thanks for the advice!

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A squeal just about has to be a belt or something driving it or driven by it. There's not really any way the balancer could squeal. Tick maybe but not squeal.

The crank pulley could be worn or contaminated. Something the belt drives could be loading up too much. The belt could simply be worn or loose. A pulley could be out of alignment.

Keep in mind... the belt will slip on whatever pulley has the least traction. That may not be the same pulley as a failing/overloaded device.

You'll have to go thru everything...

One quick test... disconnect the side plug on the alt so it won't turn on. Then start the car. IF the problem stops, then the belt has issues or the alt is bad or the alt is overloading when cold.

If the problem stops, go thru the whole starting & charging system. If something is pulling the battery down, it will overload the alt when you start the car.

Even if the problem doesn't stop, you should check the bearings carefully in both the alt and WP. You can't always count on hearing them when they start going bad. Lots of other engine noise can drown it out when they are just begining to drag.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.