chief_67k

I have a 2000 AP1 s2000 and I have a strange noise coming from the belt area of the engine. It's like a metal flapping sound and it only does it at idle and only when the engine is warm, and when you accelerate it doesn't get worse but actually you can't hear it then.

Anyways I went to my local garage and he had a look and the said it could be a bearing within the water pump or something related to the belt. The mechanic did a test where he got a spanner and turn the bolt slightly that is on the tensioner on the top part of where the belt rests on whilst the car was idling and the belt lifted slightly and the noise went away, he did it twice and the noise went away both times.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so what would it be is it the water pump or the belt or the idler pulley. I hope I've explained myself properly. Thanks

S2KIrishman

the serpentine belt doesn't run the water pump on our cars....the timing chain does...almost sounds like you need to replace your tensioner pulley

chief_67k

How about when the mechanic used a spanner to turn the bolt a bit for the belt to lift slightly and the noise went away, would that tell me that it's belt related rather then the TCT or is that not the case.

Where is the best place to buy a TCT, isn't there someone that does good quality aftermarket ones on this forum.

s2k manic

water pump is belt driven while b and h series are timing belt driven you need to check the idler pulley and the tensioner and the water pump. how many miles are on it?

chief_67k

It has very high miles, 150k but it only has 1 pre owner he had it from new and full service history, so has been well look aftered all it's life.

chief_67k

I'm a bit confused with the responses I have received, is the water pump timing chain driven or belt driven and if it is belt driven then I presume it's the serpentine belt.

chief_67k

Can anyone confirm the above please. Thanks

Billman250

Water pump, alternator, ac, idler pulley, and tensioner pulley are the 5 items driven by the belt, 100%.

I find it hard to believe anyone would think its belt driven, being he's been here a long time.

zeroptzero

Given the belt test I'd say it is one of two bearings that could be on the way out - idler pulley or tensioner pulley. Both are easy to replace. I'd pull off the belt and turn the two pulleys by hand and see if they make any noise or if they are wobbly. Probably not the crank pulley, water pump, or alternator, or a/c, which are the other items that run off the accessory belt. My first guess would have been the TCT but after you described the belt test and the noise going away then it likely would not be the TCT as it isn't affected by the accessory belt system.

chief_67k

Just some feedback on this, I manage to get the problem sorted on the car. It was the tensioner and Idler pulley.

So got that changed aswell as K&N FIPK kit fitted at the same time and the car now sounds awesome.