VP chirping sound
 

Hi all, been trying to identify this sound on my Volvo 225. Engine has been running fine, no power issues and not burning oil. I'm thinking water pump?? Sound familiar to anyone? Hope the audio comes across.

Could be a bunch of things.... start with the belt. If it's not the belt, then it might be a bearing of some sort maybe power steering or water pump.

Woodsy

Can’t seem to access file.

File access
 

Hmm. Seems like the file uploaded properly. It's a .mov format so video with audio.

Woodsy, i assume you were able to open it?

What's interesting about the noise is it's not constant but periodic, about every 3 seconds whether it's idling or underway. Obviously harder to hear when underway but still there. I'll poke a stethoscope around today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwD89_L7wj8

Seems very similar with the tensioner pulley.

I was able to open it and view the file... I would start with the belt. You could always spray a little WD40 on the belt and see if it goes away. You can probably get the belt at any NAPA or any auto parts store. Bring the old one with you so they can measure it. It doesn't need to come from VP.

Woodsy

Yes, similar but a little different. Still sounds like it could be the belt so I'll try a little water spray on the belt first then go after bearings and pulley alignment.

Looks to be the belt. New one coming.

I strongly urge you to replace the tensioner pulley and idler pulley while you have the belt off. You can use generic parts from an auto parts store. I also recommend that you keep the old belt and old pulleys, along with the tools required to change them, on board.

Dave, I assume you're talking about the pulley bearings not the complete pulley assemblies which wouldn't be available at an auto parts store.
I was definitely planning to keep the belt for emergency spare.

The plastic pulleys are usually bonded to the bearings and though the bearings can be pressed out and new ones pressed in, I would not trust them to stay together. If either pulley is metal (not common), I would not hesitate to re-use the pulley with a new bearing. Regardless, parts stores should have the pulleys you need, but you'll likely need to bring the old pulleys in to compare with what they have in stock to find a fit, unless you can find a cross reference to a standard automotive part number.

The VP part numbers that I believe fit your engine are:

3885250 (the entire tensioner assembly)
2158503 the idler pulley

Another option is to remove the pulleys from the engine and google the manufacturer part numbers on them that are typically molded, printed or stamped.

Unless the tensioner spring is broken, you can typically just replace the pulley on the tensioner if you can find the right part. FWIW, I have never failed to find generic replacement pulleys at auto parts stores for a serpentine belt application on a marine engine.

Thanks Dave. I'll look into that.

You can put a few drops of dishwashing detergent on the belt while it's turning to see if the noise temporarily goes away indicating it's the belt.
If no, then next i'd give the idler pully a shot of lube right behind the washer on the front face.
My suspicion would be idler pully

Water spray eliminated the noise immediately. Received the new belt couple days ago and will install today after checking and possibly replacing the pulleys.

New belt did it. Removed and inspected idler and tensioning pulley bearings. Feel like new. Didn't have time to get to NAPA in Wolfeboro to check for new ones so left them in. When I pull the boat out next month I'll look into getting spares.
Thanks everyone for your help.

If the new belt resolved the problem, and you do not see any unusual wear on the old belt, I would not continue to be concerned over anything else. Belts are the weak link in the system....

Yep. Old belt is perfect spare.