Over the past year i've had to deal with a rattle and vibration that sounded like a loose emissions component, but never bothered to take it in. I did today and was interested to find out what was wrong:

Turns out it was 2 problems. One a result of neglecting the other unfortunately.

1st problem was the belt tensioner was seized and it had glazed the belt. Got the tensioner replaced along with the belt but the sound was there. Mind you it was better, but not gone.

Alas the bad tensioner took a toll on the A/C Compressor. The noise is actually the bearing in the compressor. I was pretty pissed but also offered 3 cost options, all in CDN funds:

-Replace the bearing for $300
-Replace the whole AC clutch $400
-Replace the whole compressor $900

I'm going to go with the middle option and replace the AC clutch. At least that way the noise is eliminated and being that shes still on the original compressor (1994) i'm going to chance it with the life span shortage.

the tensioner seized???????

hmm , guess i beatter get mine done , its getting noisy , did you check the ilder pulley too , thats where my noise is coming from but its not seized yet

the tensioner seized???????

hmm , guess i beatter get mine done , its getting noisy , did you check the ilder pulley too , thats where my noise is coming from but its not seized yet

You got it. When you retracted the tensioner it would stay in that position rather than spring back. Without this the belt cannot be properly tensioned under shifts in the belt's movement. The tensioner pulley was a little sticky too.

never seen a tensioner seize up like that before i ususly see the pulley on the end of it seize up from bearing failure but never the tensioner side ...wierd

Was this a consistant rattle or did it start after medium acceleration? I have a '95 Deville that has a nasty rattle but only if the engine is hot and the vehicle is in motion. It's definately coming from the engine but I can't find it.

Over the past year i've had to deal with a rattle and vibration that sounded like a loose emissions component, but never bothered to take it in. I did today and was interested to find out what was wrong:

Turns out it was 2 problems. One a result of neglecting the other unfortunately.

1st problem was the belt tensioner was seized and it had glazed the belt. Got the tensioner replaced along with the belt but the sound was there. Mind you it was better, but not gone.

Alas the bad tensioner took a toll on the A/C Compressor. The noise is actually the bearing in the compressor. I was pretty pissed but also offered 3 cost options, all in CDN funds:

-Replace the bearing for $300
-Replace the whole AC clutch $400
-Replace the whole compressor $900

I'm going to go with the middle option and replace the AC clutch. At least that way the noise is eliminated and being that shes still on the original compressor (1994) i'm going to chance it with the life span shortage.
You can bypass the AC with a shorter belt. I have got the part numbers.