Bearing stuffed!

Hi, we have a 2004 Accord Euro with 35k kms.
It sounds like a bearing has gone on a belt drive accessory. The noise
started as an intermittent rattle, it now constant and sounds like a
bucket of bolts rattling around under the bonnet! I have used a poor
mans stethoscope (big screwdriver held to my ear) and could not pick
any difference on the alternator, power steering pump or idler wheel.
How would you work out what one has gone. I am hoping it is the idler
wheel, it seems to pulsate every now and then, Im not sure it that is
normal. Someone else said the water pumps have been known to break
down.
Anyone else had this?

Colin
Melbourne Australia

 

Hi,
Tensioner bearing tends to go making noises. If you don't take care of
it, it'll chew up the belt.

 

If you can get a water pump at a reasonable price you might replace the pump
and tensioner at the same time.

 

Have you checked out exhaust heat shields? They also rattle and are easy to
fix. 35km and 4 yrs seems pretty short time for a water pump or tensioner.
I had to repair a heat shield about a year ago on a 2003, hence my
sensitivity. Sounded like a bucket of bolts.

Dave

 

Thanks everyone for your replies,
Today I bit the bullet and removed everything belt driven. Once I
removed the belt it was obvious that the water pump was stuffed, there
was a lot of play in the wheel. I ended up removing the radiator so I
could get access to all the bolts.

$216 later I now have a new water pump and 2 new plastic panel
buttons. I need smaller hands to get it all back together ļ The
ratchet ring spanners have paid for them selves today.
(my bad, the car has done 60k km not 30 as miss typed before)