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Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit?
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Here's a link to a mechanics stethoscope. It's cheap and tremendously effective for finding noises. Touch the metal probe on everything that you think could be making the noise. It's a game of you're getting hotter - you're getting colder till you touch what's making the noise. Other moving chassis noises, this tool with find the noise almost every time.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_7AQMZ2PNN55PJERWS0RS
It sure sounds like a idler to me. Pick up a mechanics stethoscope and touch it to the center bolt of all the pulleys. They will all sound about the same except for the bad one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_xrd0Fb07QGK59
An automotive stethoscope really is an invaluable, cheap tool that everyone who works on their cars should have. In this case, I'd put money on you being able to find your problem within 2 minutes with it.
This kit below includes a longer "needle" shaped piece, as well as a cupped piece. The "needle" adapter here would be used in this situation. You would touch it to areas nearest to the pulleys (that are non-moving). When it gets to the pulley making the noise, you'll be able to hear it as the noise will be very loud.
The other cupped piece is for finding air leaks. I use it for small engine repairs in conjunction with leakdown tests. You could use it on cars to find exhaust leaks or even vacuum leaks.
Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_1DT0N1HRC2CDJ0KT5NB7
I have used this as an auto tech, home electronics repair tech and now as a pc miester. Unplugging the end, using just the tube on the ear pieces, you can really narrow down the source of noise. Hope this helps.
If it stays the same no matter the RPMs or boost I would start looking at pulley, fan/fan clutch, water pump etc. could also be a electric hum if you have an aftermarket radio.
Get you a stethoscope and put it on parts running to see if you can find it. Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_10661TDEKZFJYHDJEWDA
get a small funnel and reverse it to your ear and go hunting to isolate the area of the noise. If you want to get more accurate a quality mechanics stethoscope is well worth the money.
Possibly a loose belt, some debris on the belt or in a pulley, but I'm leaning more towards a bad bearing in a pulley. Most likely the idler/tensioner pulley. Get something like these mechanics stethoscope Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_SQ2NDB5BJ7CGWFDJ3W2B?psc=1 and listen at each pulley for which one is squeaking. You can listen by putting the end of the long rod part against the center bolt of the pulley, or you can listen with the little trumpet end to each pulley. I'd go with the little reverse trumpet one first. Make sure the bolts are tight. If they were, replace the bearing there.
This doesn't always work as bearings need to be under load to test. I'm sure it usually works but that isn't a good enough test and they might go through taking the belt off for no gain.
They can however get a piece of tubing and a stethoscope and listen to each pulley by itself and replace those. Like these Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_SQ2NDB5BJ7CGWFDJ3W2B?psc=1
Get you a mechanics stethoscope and it will help you pin point where that noise is coming from.
I often use this myself I would recommend it don’t be surprised if it is a pulley.
Yep. In fact they make diagnostic stethoscopes that are similar to OP's jerry-rig for exactly this purpose. You'll find them.in basically any mechanics shop.
An inexpensive but very useful tool to pinpoint the sounds origin is an automotive stethoscope.
It does sound like lower end knock to me but a stethoscope will help you know for certain.
Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BPyCyb44TK7C2
I mean, you could always buy one that works better, but still....
Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_1TK1766V1E4799ESN0BS
That's not a belt sound...more like bearings in a pulley.
Get an automotive stethoscope and touch it to the various components to locate the source.
When my alternator went bad, it sounded pretty terrible, but not as bad as this. At times, it would shoot sparks from where the bearing was. It was replaced very soon after. I did it myself - not a tough job. You don't need to remove the front panel or radiator. It can come out if you close your eyes and use the Force. :) (instructions here: https://youtu.be/HrmFudratBc)
If you're trying to diagnose specifically what is making that noise, I suggest using an automotive stethoscope like this one made by Lisle: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52750-Stethoscope-Kit/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=asc_df_B0015DLMOO/ I have this, and have used it on a few of my cars to pinpoint failed bearings and other noises. It allows you to really hone in on both mechanical and non-mechanical noises; there are two attachments - a probe and a cone for listening. Highly recommend. Good luck!
Or, one of these.
Get an automotive stethoscope and start poking things.
You can buy a stethoscope for autos and try to pin point the sound. They sale them for like $20 bucks at harbor freight or Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015DLMOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_2mLhFbEKH6WYM
Buy this http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-52750-Stethoscope-Kit/dp/B0015DLMOO
Point it around your engine to pinpoint the source. Costs less than replacing perfectly good parts trying to track down the problem.
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