2004 Accord EX 4cyl.
I have a loud rattle when idling (at least that's the only time I can hear it). It is not constant, but if I let it idle for 5 minutes, every 30 seconds or so it will rattle for 5-10 seconds - more so when cold. It's definitely from the belt area, around the Power Steering Pump/Alternator area - I don't think it's as low as the water pump. It sounds like a loose bearing. Any thoughts on how to troubleshoot without bringing to a dealer? Thanks.

 

Tensioner pulley is on aspring-loaded lever. Use a long wrench on the center bolt of the pulley to move the lever & release the tension from the belt. Slip the belt off of the tensioner & off of a couple of pulleys, like you're gonna change the belt.

I've already replacedthe tensioner pulley on the 2003 because of a loose rattling bearing. With the belt off, you can spin the waterpump, alternator, or whatever other pulley to look for loose bearings that make noise.

 

the tool you need is a long 14mm wrench,,go toward the front of the car to release the tension ,, careful not to let the wrench slip ,,it has a good kickback ,,, and i agree with JIM, could be the belt tensioner,, I, as well, have seen a few noisy ones ..

 

I saw the tool, but I hooked 2 wrenches together to make a box-end wrench twice as long as normal.

I coulda sworn youpush the wrench forward,in the direction of tightening the bolt, & that swings the lever clockwise to relase tension from the belt.

 

JIm you are correct , thanks for catching that ,, my mistake ,, you do pull it forward toward frt of car ..

 

Oh yeah, one more thing. If it IS the tensioner pulley, be careful when you remove it. The center bolt isn't threaded directly into the lever. There's a nut on the backside of the lever. If you don't hang onto that nut, it will fall into a black hole & never be found. Until you drive away, then it'll get caught in the belt. (go ahead, just ask me how I know...)

 

Thanks to all. I had the car at the dealer today for a wheel bearing replacement and I asked them to check out the rattle. They did confirm it's the tensioner pulley. They wanted around $130 to replace it (might have included a new belt). I'm thinking of replacing it myself - do I really need a new belt too?

 

Can't tell from herewhether you need a new belt. I discovered my loose pulley when I replaced the belt.

There's not much room for your hands as you feed the new belt around all those pulleys down there, but it's not aterribly difficult job. Make careful note of how the belt goes over or under each pulley, because it can get confusing as it snakes around every which way.