Hello to everyone this is my first post. I got my TL last November and just love the car!! But ever since I have owned it i have always had this faint grind rough type noise int the engine bay (hard to explain) that goes in and out and is not consistent with the engine speed. So I replaced the serpentine belt, drive tensioner, and the alternator (that did have a bad bearing). But I still have it and you can hear it when you are in the car too almost better because its quiet in the cabin. The timing belt service was done about 22000 mi ago. I have searched and searched and have found nothing. If you have any information on what is I would appreciate it. It is really worrying me and it is annoying. The car has 137k miles on it with the 6mt. Thank you!

 

Need a video

 

I will try just not sure if the camera will pick it up. Ill update a video tomorrow.

 

Here is a video you need headphones to listen closely. I drove it last night and still have squeaking at random times. Any insight please help! It sounds like a rumble of a bad bearing or something. I cant figure it out.

 

I think I have cut it down to the ac. I spun the pulley and spun good but swear I could hear slight ticks and noises. Started it up and it seems to be coming right from that area and as soon as I turned the ac on the chirping started. Is this common for the compressor bearings to go? Are u able to rebuild them? I am already 250$ in the hole trying to fix this problem any advice would be much appreciated. Enjoy the holiday!

 

What you hear is the bad bearing in the ac pulley. Part Number is 38900-rca-a01. Hope this helps anyone who comes across this odd sound that will be better heard inside the car.

 

Love the fact that you actually came back and posted a solution to the problem. Many threads go un-updated even after the problem was fixed after taking advice and when we search for ourselves we're left to wonder if that's the cause. I know you did your own diagnosis... but thanks for posting back up.

 

Yeah np, I dont want anyone else to make the $250 mistake i did replacing everything else. My ac clutch was toast for some reason. i work at the Acura dealer in Troy here and we had another TL come in with the same problem so it does happen, but its all the purr of the engine i hear now.

FYI this may be a tough DIY because of having to drain the ac system to remove the compressor. I had a tech do it at the dealer i work at.