Honestly I don’t mind wrenching as I consider it therapy to my real career however I didn’t enjoy this as with every step there were new issues uncovered.

Im still chasing a cold rough idle ( no cel) and while I was under the car I noticed that I have a leaky oil volume solenoid - known issue as there was a tsb. What the hell is up with these crappy cars .....I’m seriously thinking of just getting rid of it ...every time I feel I’m getting to the root cause of an issue - a new one is uncovered.

I’m going to try to press the dealer to address the leaking oil volume solenoid issue as this is well documented despite me being out of warranty...

I’d better summarize my findings.


1. The metal rubing sound like a very dry bearing was the friction wheel bearing - replaced the friction wheel assembly.

2. The random sound as in the video on my first post was the water pump pulley missing a chunk of rubber. It was self destructing. Replaced with a new water pump pulley.

3. Although the belt tensioner was functioning correctly, and the bearing seemed ok, no lateral play, it was spewing lubricant on to the engine - I thing it would have been just a matter of time before it failed so I proactively replaced it.

No strange noises any more.

It was was a pain getting my sausage fingers in the tight gaps to remove and start the bolts. I didn’t need to put the radiator in service mode. I did remove the passenger side engine mounts and either raised or lowered the engine - what ever made it easier to access the bolts. Really wasn’t that complicated other than the confined space.

Right on, it’s good to hear that it’s fixed. The tight confines are part of the reason labor charges end up so high on these. If you can remain patient and live with only turning some bolt an eighth of a turn or less at a time, lol. And dropped bolts or nuts can disappear forever!