88ShelbyZ Posted March 21, 2007 Report Posted March 21, 2007 Hey all, I have a '95 Buick Regal GS with the Series I 3800. The A/C compressor went about 3 months ago and took the serpentine belt and water pump with it. Ever since I've had it back from the mechanic, thee's been a terrible chattering noise from the serpentine system. Only happens under 1500rpm. The mechanic told me it was the belt tensioner. Well, I finally got around to replacing that a few weeks ago, and that was not the problem. Still chatters like crazy. This thing is driving me nuts. The only parts of the serptine system that isn't brand new are the crank pulley and the power steering pump. I'm thinking that it has to be the PS pump. 1, because if there was something wrong with the crank, the car would've given up long ago, 2, because it chatters faster going around turns. So, has this happened to anyone else? And how hard is it to replace the PS pump on a Series I? Taking off the belt tensioner seemed harder than it really was, but the PS pump really does seem complicated for a back yard mechanic (and not a great one, at that) Tips? Cliff notes: PS Pump broken (Chatters like hell) How hard is it to replace this thing? Quote
97loudcut Posted March 21, 2007 Report Posted March 21, 2007 I like the cliff notes Go buy one of those car stethoscopes from your local auto parts store. Let the car warm up and put then end of the stethoscope on the PS pump. Have someone inside the car turn the wheel back and forth. That should narrow it down for you. IF it is the PS pump, make sure the fluid is topped off (obvious) and then if that doesn't fix it you are probably looking at replacing it. It shouldn't be that difficult for you to do, even being the backyard mechanic. It's all really just nuts and bolts. Quote
88ShelbyZ Posted March 21, 2007 Author Report Posted March 21, 2007 I like the cliff notes It shouldn't be that difficult for you to do, even being the backyard mechanic. It's all really just nuts and bolts. That's how the tensioner turned out to be, and I was sort of hoping it would be that way. And believe me, it's loud enough that I don't need the stethoscope. Like, loud enough that people 2 cars back wonder what the noise is. And I like the Top Gear sig. Quote
97loudcut Posted March 21, 2007 Report Posted March 21, 2007 I mean, of the 3800 series, you got the easiest PS pump to replace. It's right up top. It shouldn't take you that long. It is definitely worth a shot. Quote
88ShelbyZ Posted March 21, 2007 Author Report Posted March 21, 2007 Yeah, might as well go for it. Looks like the one from ACDelco is my best bet. $118 with a $22 core. Quote
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