Help diagnosing engine noise - problem solved?

[timot_one]

.....or to hang your self with.

[striktlyaccord]

... oh boy...

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

Well, I keep becoming more convinced that it has something to do with the P/S pulley. Every time I spray that lubricant on it, the sound IMMEDIATELY goes away for a little bit. Unless... the lubricant causes less friction on the pulley which in return causes less friction on the whole serpentine system, which somehow fixes the problem. School's almost over, so I'm going to see if I can slap on a 70" belt, although I remember it being a pretty tight fit for the 70.25" belt.

Would having too tight of a serpentine belt cause any problems, as opposed to having too loose of a belt?

[striktlyaccord]

^ Beats me.

[timot_one]

A belt that is too tight is going to put extra stress on the bearings in your idler pulley.  A smaller belt will probably make the problem worse.  You may want to try and replace the idler pulley instead of the entire auto tensioner assembly.  It shouldn't be more than $20 to replace the pulley.

[Jeff Likes Bagels]

Well, I installed the auto tensioner that you sold me awhile ago, and it didn't really change much. My old auto tensioner did feel notchy if I spun it by hand, but I still feel like it has something to do with the P/S pulley, and not the belt or tensioner. That's the thing, though. I have no way of knowing for sure. Goddamn noises, lol.