Bb40z

I have a extremely loud squealing coming from one of the pulleys on the engine bay really sounds like it's coming from the water pump anyone have had this happen to them any tricks to figuring out exactly which pulley it is the car is a 98 a6 Quattro 2.8l auto. It's louder at idle than when I'm driving and gradually got louder I sprayed white lithium grease on the water pump pulley bearing and clutch fan bearing and it quieted down for a little bit but couldn't pinpoint where it was coming from.

N_Jay

Try a little lube on one at a time!

johnkk

The water pump is not driven by the fan(ribbed)belt, but rather by the toothed timing belt. The timing belt is behind plastic covers.

So whatever pulley you sprayed grease on was not the water pump. If on passenger side, it was the alternator

The fan belt drives the A/C compressor, power steering pump, and alternator. It is held tight by a tensioner pulley. As N Jay said, spray each of these bearings one at a time. WD40 has worked for me.

It is possible for the timing/ribbed belt pulleys and the water pump to squeal, but less likely. However, much more serious, since if there is a failure causing the timing belt to be disengaged while the engine is running, you will have many bent valves. To get to those items you have to remove the timing belt. This involves locking the crankshaft and cams with special tools. Lots of info on this in forum.

N_Jay

OK, three posts is enough waiting:
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Audi Quattro 2.8l loud squealing
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. . . . . Since it is a 2.8, we know it is not the tires!

WD40 is a good test but the lubrication dissipates quickly.
Use a lithium or silicon spray until you get it fixed.

johnkk

Yup. He needs a manual.

Even water works as a locater spray, but my WD has a good straw nozzle to direct spray. I usually replace the bad part since sometimes hard to get the lube applied without taking out the part.

Airbag

take off the accessory belt , start car. if noise is gone its not water pump, timing belt idler or tensioner.

if it does stop its clutch alt or Ps pump as mentioned ( im going with PS pump )


if It does not stop after removing acc belt stop car and don't start again until you do a timing belt job. or put it back together and drive straight to your friendly independent mechanic.

Airbag

lol I doubt a 2.8 would spin the tires even of it cam in a manual ..

redbullgotwings

my stage 2 2.7t doesnt even squeal in a strait line quattro bro. I can get it to kick out if i cut the wheel in 1st.

but anyways, are you sure its not just the accessory belt itself? its like 15$ and 15 minutes just do that first. you can get it to without service position