I'm getting a noise coming from my belt, it's not belt squeal, it sounds like a bearing going bad in either the tensioner or the idler pulley (I think) is there anyway to know which it is before I start pulling things apart? Or can anybody who's heard one of those go describe the noise/what it's like?

Also while I was looking, at the tensioner, I'm not sure of the name of the part, but there's the tab that sticks out, it has the oem tensioner stop on it, and it's the same part that has holes in it to stick a pin in when you release the tension on the belt. There's not much of that tab exposed. Maybe there's a 1/4-1/2 inch of tab exposed. Is this normal? or is it a sign that the belt has stretched and needs to be replaced? I think the belt has about 20,000 miles on it.

I figure I'll replace the belt while I have it off, but is it worth just replacing the belt at first to see if that fixes things? or should I try and do more investigative work?

 

I posted some helpful diagnostic info HERE. Take a look and try that out to further diag your issue.

Are you talking about the drive belt tensioner, part below?



In this picture below you can see the belt tensioner in it's locked position with the upper engine mount removed. (Ignore the arrows). You can see more images and the process for removal on the tensioner in our DIY HERE. Let me know if you have any questions.