My 2002 S60 has been making a noise for a while now around the drive belt area (I have posted on this before), kind of a whirring noise. A mechanic told me it sounded like my lower fron engine mount might be bad (causing vibration) so I replaced that (cheap and easy diy job), but that did not fix it. I also replaced the serpentine belt and tension pulley. Another mechanic took a look and said it is definitely in the drive belt path and they could take a stethescope and figure out where it is coming from.

I have an appointment to bring it in to that mechanic next week, but am wondering if I can find the source myself. How would a stethescope help, just by magnifying the sounds of each part (alternator, air conditioner compressor, power steering pump) ? I should be able to figure this out myself, wondering if people had any tips or tricks for something like this ?

Thanks.

 

A stethoscope or even a long screwdriver will help.

Have seen a lot of alternators make noise and tensioners, but more so alternators making like a frog sound. ribbit ribbit.