New engine woes?

[Cobrajet]

If it turns out to be the serpentine belt tensioner or idler, I have both sitting on a shelf in my garage. The aftermarket tensioner was a week old when I took it off and replace with OEM. The idler is the original, undamaged and quiet.

[WormGod]

Ya, seen all those Dub, especially the youtube vid that shows just how damned easy it SHOULD be. My only concern is, since our nose cone is apparently "alien", I wonder just how many of the internals are similar and what parts, if any, are compatible. I REALLY hate to box it up and ship it off if it is something I can do in a couple hours on my own. Let my old ASE cert go to waste.

The ZZPerformance option looks valid, and affordable enough in case it's a bomb. Seriously just considering tearing it down and seeing "what makes her tick".

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Sure its not the supercharger belt tension pulley bearing? Even though they are supposed to be self-lubricated bearings...I got grease in there anyways since my original one failed over time. I was able to get one locally and have a spare. Obviously, you could remove your supercharger belt and start her up to help diagnose your problem by eliminating the SC and all related components from the equation..if you still hear the sound its something else. Hope this helps.

[WormGod]

Jolly, ya, I totally suspect the S/C tensioner pulley (probably could have been worded better in the OP) since it has some play and ticks around by hand if I wiggle it under tension. I was just pondering the idea of rebuilding the S/C sometime this fall/winter anyways since I can keep in in the garage for a while.

You said you have a spare.... do you recall where you got them? I am thinking having a few on hand isn't a bad idea.

Forgot to add this unrelated bit, but, when I had drained down my oil to check for contaminants, it was a quart low. First time EVER my VX has burned through oil between changes. Guess I am now part of that gang too. 56k miles and showing her age, heh.

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Jolly, ya, I totally suspect the S/C tensioner pulley (probably could have been worded better in the OP) since it has some play and ticks around by hand if I wiggle it under tension. I was just pondering the idea of rebuilding the S/C sometime this fall/winter anyways since I can keep in in the garage for a while.

You said you have a spare.... do you recall where you got them? I am thinking having a few on hand isn't a bad idea.

Forgot to add this unrelated bit, but, when I had drained down my oil to check for contaminants, it was a quart low. First time EVER my VX has burned through oil between changes. Guess I am now part of that gang too. 56k miles and showing her age, heh.

http://www.eriebearings.com/

I personally bought mine @ the Meadville (PA) location:
http://www.eriebearings.com/contact-us/locations/

Brand/Part # of bearing listed here on VX site:
NSK 6301C3, the C3 means high speed

Brand/Part # of bearing sold to me @ Erie Bearing:
SNR 6301.ZZ.J30

Here it is on Ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNR-6301-ZZJ...-/250451404004

p.s.--- mine has been drinking more oil as of late but has 139,960 miles and the engine still sounds very quiet when driving except for the SC rattling @ idle (which is normal since new).

[Jolly Roger VX'er]