Forgive me if I am in the wrong section, but I was directed here from ClubGP in regards to a Bonneville issue I am having with my 2000 SSEI.

Recently, I took the car into the shop to have the intermediate shaft lubed in order to get rid of a grinding noise issue I was having when turning the wheel. Well, I few days ago I decided to drive it into work since my other vehicle was in the shop and noticed an almost metal-on-metal grinding noise being emitted from around the belt area under the hood. The noise will be apparent when I first start the car and then it levels out and all but disappears. I can also turn on the AC for a few seconds and activate the compressor, but when I turn it off, that same noise comes back and then, again, disappears in about 10 secs.

The care is completely stock, and based on working with my 04 gtp, I highly doubt it is the SC since it still makes the noise even though it is not activated. I have heard similar issues with regards to this as potentially being a tensioner pulley, but I have yet to hear what it sounds like when they go bad. Is it sort of like hearing burnt-out bearings (slight whining/grinding sound)? If so this may what I have on my hands, but I wanted to check with the Bonne crowd before tearing things apart.

Thoughts?

SmokeYa

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04 – CompG
Pulley Boys Qwikchange™ Pulley System (3.4), Gatorback belt, Wizair CAI, NGK TR55 Plugs, Hypertech 180, Autovation "GTP" Matte Pedals
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“I used to be schizophrenic but were ok now”

You're going to have to get a mechanic'* stethescope and narrow it down. I'd concentrated on the Alternator rear bearing, one of the 2 idlers, or the AC compressor clutch. Have you considered removing the belt that drives your SC and AC? See if the noise is on that belt or the accessory drive belt.

Thanks for the quick shout back.

I was hoping for a known issue... But sounds like I need to get some grease under the nails tonight heh

Will update the thread when I get under the hood again to fill you in.

-SmokeYa

I'm going to stick my neck out and say I would suspect the AC compressor clutch assembly, maybe I'm biased because mine is also about to die.

Look for metal filing magnetised against the front and around the fasteners on the clutch, if so you'll know the culprit.

Cheers,

Wanted to update this thread and let you all know what was wrong....

And the winner is.....


The AC Compressor clutch !!

Whoohoo!
The bonus of it was I was able to call up a buddy at a shop and he happened to have a spare that came out of a 2000 SSEI with only 37k on it :o so I dropped bye and took it off his hands for the cost of a beer.

Car is running perfect again.... Thanks for your input guys! Saved me some headaches thinking about it at night

Nice to hear it worked out well. While you're passing out the beers...

Cheers,