Clicking Noise Front of the Engine (Fixed)

[RRoller123]

If you spin the alternator by hand can you hear any noise? grinding or clicking?

Not sure you can as easily do the same with the water pump, as you have the fluid resistance, but try that too I suppose.

Pete

[Rambo]

I rotated both by hand and there was no noise. i guess ill have to put it back on and try to determine which pulley its coming from.

[So Cal Mark]

without the belt the crank pulley has no load on it. Oh well, I'll quit trying to help...

[Rambo]

without the belt the crank pulley has no load on it. Oh well, I'll quit trying to help...

Mark,

I meant no offense/disrespect what so ever. I understand that you have much more knowledge than i do about any of this. I dont have the right tool to use on the crank pulley nut so until i figured out what i needed i was just going to do some other tests. I understand its a 38mm/1.5 inch socket i just have to find something that extends far enough out from the pulley but does not interfere with the radiator.

[RRoller123]

Getting that socket on the pulley with the radiator in place was basically impossible on my FI and the radiator had to be drained and pulled. Fortunately, this is one of the really easy things to do on the Spider. Maybe at this point it would be best to have a local auto shop look at it and see if they can isolate the noise, now that you have narrowed it down?

[Rambo]

I did a little more diagnosing and with the help of a mechanic friend we solved the problem. We determined that the alternator/water pump belt was wobbling and hitting against the timing mark indicator/bracket, given that there is very little clearence. I guess it was worn out or something. Ordered a new belt and drove it around and the noise has gone away.

[RRoller123]

There is supposed to be a spacer used behind the bottom mounting bolt of the timing belt shield to keep it far enough away from the belt and pulley system. Check that out, because it was missing on mine and I bet this is a common problem. A simple nylon spacer from the local hardware store did the trick! In my case, the crank pulley or maybe the Aux, I can't remember, been 4 years, was actually wearing a round mark in the back of the cover. This may explain why the belt is so close to the cover on your car.

It is the bottom mount in the foreground of the red cover in this pic below: There needs to be a spacer behind it to hold it off the block. Not sure of the length, maybe 1/2" (?) just guessing.

Pete