Posted: Jun 21 2009 at 11:54pm | IP Logged

I have an 03 frontier 4x4 auto with a 3.3 supercharged engine.  Reciently, after driving it for a bit and shutting the engine off, when I start it again when the engine is still warm, it sounds like there is a hoot owl under my hood, but only when I first turn the key and start it, and then when I begin to drive, it only happens after I let off the gas pedal.  It is random in frequency and duration but always the same sound, and I am told it is very loud outside the truck also.  I had my mechanic  replace the fan clutch, since he said it was loose and thought that might be it, but it still does it.  He now says that it's the fan for the hvac system since it started and stopped when he changed the air and fan, but it does it even when the system is off and the fan isn't running.  I know I don't know much about engines, but I just don't think that's the problem.  I have opened the hood and had someone else start it, and it seems like it's coming from the area by the belt pulley on the a/c unit under the hood, but from the inside of the truck, it sounds like it's by the passenger side wheel under the hood.  anyone else ever had this problem.  Can someone help me?  I love my truck and just want to get it fixed.

thanks

Posted: Jun 22 2009 at 10:02pm | IP Logged

I don't think the belt is worn or cracked at all.  I did narrow the noise down to the belt pulley attached to the a/c unit located on the driver's side, and sprayed it with some silicone, which stopped the noise immediately.  I don't think I hit the belt at all.  Can that pulley or bearings be replaced without changing over the entire a/c component?  I sure hope so.  I suppose I can continue to spray it periodically, if you don't think that will hurt anything.

Thanks for the response.  Looking at the belt resulted in me locating the source of the noise.  It is sooooooo appreciated.  This is a very small town and our mechanic selection is somewhat limited, so I have to learn to do a lot of things myself.  Stereo and electrical are a breeze, but engine,... not so much.

Thanks again.

Posted: Jun 25 2009 at 7:51pm | IP Logged

Hey, that really seemed to do the trick.  I sprayed it with brake cleaner and drove it all day without a hoot.  Thanks for the great advice.  I was afraid I would take it in and get all these unnecessary expensive repairs, and that's probably what would have happened.  I had a bad experience with Meineke some time back and had to threaten to sue to get my money back for repairs not done.

Thanks again.  You don't know how much I appreciate it. Now I can leisurely explore the site.

Posted: Jun 26 2009 at 12:05pm | IP Logged

HEY, THANKS FOR THE TIP.  I ALWAYS WRITE THIS STUFF DOWN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE, AND ALL THE INFO I CAN GATHER IS GREAT. 

I SHOULD HAVE ASKED ALL OF YOU BEFORE I LET MY MECHANIC LOOSE ON IT.  WOULD HAVE SAVED A LOT OF TIME AND SOME MONEY ALSO. 

I USED TO HAVE A ZR2 AND I LOVED IT, BUT NOT AS MUCH AS I LOVE MY FRONTIER.