Strange noise when foot on pedal, from belt tensioner ?
 

Hi
when driving my H3 I hear a strange noise coming from the front. But only when my foot is softly on the pedal. When accelerating full the noise is gone and then lifting the foot from the pedal, it's gone as well. The belt tensioner wheel is moving very little when accelerating.
Would replacing the tensioner help?

Any help please

it sounds like that could be the issue, and they are cheap and easy to replace. If they lock up it won't take long to destroy the belt, and nothing works at that point

Thanks Skeeter, I guess you have to buy the complete tensioner with the support right. Where can I buy that online ?

autozone on line or just walk into the store.

Tx but that will be hard, I live in Costa Rica

ok,autozone online?

did you already try some online stores?

Rockauto.com
They ship internationally.

Hi everybody, thanks. I'm impressed. Autozone online, what a nice site, great navigation. Will give it a try as I have a person in Charlotte who comes down to Costa Rica soon. Shipping so way to expensive and taxes are about 50% on these parts.
By the way they have either just the pulley or the whole part with the aluminum arm. I think if I change the pulley only or not?
Here is the link to the parts I need/found:
Belt Tensioner | AutoZone.com

I would replace the whole thing because the biggest issue I have seen with these has been the arm buckles and makes the pulley lock up

Thank you, I appreciate and will follow your advise

Got the parts
 

I bought Tensioner and belt new, is it easy replace or do you need special tools ?

You'll need a breaker bar 3/8drive ratchet I believe a 5/8 socket .I just did mine and it was quiet for a couple of weeks today I rotated my tires and replaced rear brake pads on my test run I noticed it squeaking IM going to replace the idler pulley tomorrow I hope that's it she's been needy lately.good luck update:1/7/14 after installing the idler pulley she still squeaked at idle I then noticed today the fan has a slight wiggle so that and the water pump and thermostat will be ordered asap .

Installed and still the same
 

Hi, it wasn't that so I looked further and a friend found that it is the harmonic balancer, also called crank pulley damper. Mine is a H3 2006, any idea where to buy online ?
Thanks in advance.

JUST ORDERED AT Rockauto.com
Lets see.