I have a 2005 TL with 165k miles on it that has a squeaking noise that is very noticeable once the car has been warmed up and especially when idling. A little background I have replaced the steering pump and alternator about 30k miles ago and did the timing belt service at 100k or so. My initial guess as to where the noise was coming from was the power steering pump, however I temporarily removed the serpentine belt to eliminate that as a possibility, started the car, and the noise was still present. After looking around I found the Acura TSB 08-031 which talks about installing a shim behind the timing belt idler pulley to give the pulley a square mounting surface. Without the shim the slight tilt of the pulley can cause the timing belt to rub and the TSB mentions it occurring after the car has warmed up and being noticeable at idle like the symptoms I'm experiencing. I recorded the sound my TL is making, this is after the car has warmed up all the way. Here's the link to the video From a cold start the noise doesn't appear until the engine if fully warmed up.

Before I buy the shim and start tearing into the car, does the sound in the video sound like the noise caused by the timing belt rubbing for those that have had the same issue? For reference I've attached the TSB article in case anyone is interested in seeing it.

 

When you did the timing belt did you replace other hardware like the timing idler pulley or only the belt/water pump?

 

I just looked at the invoice for that service and it included replacing the idler pulley and the tensioner.

 

Go back to the shop, they should've installed the shim.

 

The timing belt service was about 3 years ago so I doubt that's going to be an option. I had a local mechanic do the job, not a dealer.

 

Yeah, you're probably SOL. What kit did he use? The Gates kit comes with the shim and the TSB in the kit. If he used the Gates kit and just discarded the shim, I'd be pissed.

 

From the part numbers on the invoice it looks like they were OEM parts. Either way, does the issue in the video sound like it's caused by the timing belt?

 

Sure sounds like the TSB video to me.....

 

I went ahead and ordered the Gates timing belt kit last night and started taking things apart after work tonight. The shim wasn't installed so at least that makes me feel a bit better about this being the cause of the squeaking. I should have the parts in a couple of days and I'll button it up then. I was a little worried that the crank pulley bolt wouldn't come out very easily, but with some PB blaster and an Aircat 1150 impact wrench it came out after a minute or so.

 

Get the Lisle socket (~$25) for next time.

 

In your picture above, does that residue look like a slight black 'rubber accumulation' on the outside surface of the pulley from the TB? If so, that appears to confirm it's rotation is slower at times to cause the build-up and 'shine' the TB surface.

 

Find it hard to believe that after 165,000 miles and 2 belts that the shim, or lack thereof, would be the cause of the noise.
If you install the tapered shim, don't forget to grind the relief in the mount bracket if needed, check with .95 mm (.037") feeler gauge, and also the TSB calls for a new timing belt drive/gear pulley.
Spin all pulleys to check for any abnormal noise.

 

Valid point, but it does sound just like the TSB video to me. Will be interested to see if applying the TSB fixes it..

 

Just put the belt guide back on, bolt on the balancer, start the engine and see if you can locate the area, spray water on the belt to see if noise level drops.

 

Well I did the timing belt maintenance (timing belt, pulleys, tensioner, and water pump were replaced) and installed the shim that comes with the Gates kit and unfortunately the noise is still there. It does seem to be a little quieter but that could be in my head, who knows. As part of doing the timing belt install I did grind down the cover in the area that can be prone to rubbing on the belt. I'm not really sure at this point where the noise is coming from. It is for sure not the serpentine belt, or anything that the serpentine belt drives, and now I don't think it's coming from the timing belt or its components since that has been changed out. Any ideas?