Strange sound in front of the engine.

Tiny
SYNNYZTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET BLAZER
  • 4.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Bought a used Blazer and it makes this ticking noise than I cannon pinpoint. I recorded it via video so you can hear it so I am really hoping it helps at all.

http://youtu.be/5G_AKovsTdU

I never heard a sound quite like this one but I am thinking it's the fan clutch although there is no play on the fan nor any fluids leaking, it also has decent resistance when I spin it by hand. Any ideas at all so I can at least eliminate some options? Thanks in advanced.
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 6:32 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,896 POSTS
It sounds like a bearing issue. Remove the belt and spin the belt driven accessories by hand and see if you can find the noise. Also, try to wiggle them to see if there is play in them.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 8:35 PM
Tiny
SYNNYZTER
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  • 6 POSTS
I will do that early tomorrow. It sounds like it's towards the bottom below the top most pulleys. Thanks a lot, I will let you know what I find. Hopefully it's the tensioner.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 9:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Let me know.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2014 AT 9:24 PM
Tiny
SYNNYZTER
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Tensioner was sloppy, replaced it but that wasnt it. The rest sound OK but of course I cant spin crankshaft by hand. Can I start it without the belt to test that?
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, start it without the belt on to see if the sound is gone. NOTE: Do this when the engine is cold and only allow it to run for a very short period of time. Just enough to see if the sound is gone. Without the belt, the water pump isn't turning along with everything else and can cause the engine to over heat much quicker.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
SYNNYZTER
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I assumed that, thanks. It wasnt the fan clutch so im down to the water pump and main bearing I believe its called? Im no more than a shadetree so I appreciate this help greatly. I will let you know.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Check the pulley on the water pump for play. Grab it and try to wiggle it. Do that on all of the accessories.
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Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
SYNNYZTER
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  • 6 POSTS
Started it with no belt, no ticks or squeeks. No play on the water pump, wiggled and spun it, the only pulley that had play was the power steeping pulley but it didn't wiggle as if the bearing was bad but it slid in and out very very slightly almost like the bolt holding it was an 1/8 turn from snug.

Sounds can be deceiving and to me it sounds like the other side but who knows. I'll inspect that P/S pulley.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
SYNNYZTER
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Done about all I can, just cannot pinpoint it. I will have to get a second set of ears on it locally. No way I'm going to take that P/S pulley off until I do, don't even have the tool for it. Thanks for the help and advice. Tomorrow I will have it looked at and let ya know what it was in case you are curious. Thanks again.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Since there is no noise with the belt off, then you have at least established that it is one of the belt driven accessories. Let me know what you find.
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Friday, August 1st, 2014 AT 5:21 PM

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