[Revo2Maxx2016]

Most times your PS is under high pressure and would be hard to turn with the cap on. Maybe even hard with it off... However if you think it is a PS issue when your car is running and it is making that noise does it get worse when you turn your steering wheel? Any time I have ever tested the pumps I always used a PS inline tester.. Goes inline with your High Pressure line and with the car jacked up you turn the wheel lock to lock while testing the line. Should be within specs of the pump. If when locked it don't go to max or even much higher then it was while running I would replace the pump...

Other then that, It would be hard to know what the issue is... In rare cases it could be a spun main bearing. Without knowing what the turning of the steering does it is hard to guess...

All the pulleys were ok? None had back and forth movement? The water pump moved free without noise? the Alt moved free without any play in the pully?

Sorry hard to guess without it being in front it...

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

Yeah I don't do the Replace everything Method... Sadly if there is a problem with a Pump or something other then the pulley or belt your just wasting money...

If you don't know when the car had the last belt or it looks bad (Underside of belt has cracks in the ridges all over not just one here and there. I would for sure replace belt...

IT could even be a pully out of alignment. Hard to say..

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

Problem with the Belts is they can be an issue. It is rare not to have signs of being bad. But they can over time have a problem that makes them make noise. However a problem with Grinding, That sounds like more of an issue then a belt.

One you said that the weather was very low. What does your coolant level look like? was it done with Good 50/50 mix or was it only filled with Water? I ask this because I have done some repairs on friends cars that do to not having right mix for the weather froze the line and destroyed the water pump fins. That was my first thought when you said grinding...

If your system is 50/50 or better and your water pump moves the water while running then it is a good chance that isn't the issue.

BELT sounds isn't grinding. If it is ongoing to me sounds like a different issue then a belt. Squeal or squeak is good belt being bad sound.

If you look at the underside of the belt. Where the grooves are and there is cracks on all rows and all over change out the belt. (Or I would anyway) However if it isn't a belt issue, Won't really help much with the Grinding problem...

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

The sound would no keep going on. It would make it then free spin. Again at first that came to mind. I however not sure that it is that unless as stated by worthirt it could be that the damage was done but didn't break it down all the way and the grinding you hear is the broken fins in the pump area. However without the Belt and turning the Water pump will clear that up... IF you are able to turn the water pump without a grind or without problem. Meaning it spins well by hand then it isn't the issue....

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

Well if you have tried all the pulleys and nothing has a Grinding sounds, Then it almost sounds like something I don't really want to think about. That is, Could be the Motor. Sorry it is hard to say because not there to be able to look over it.. However seeing that it sounds like it is coming from the front area. I would check by taking out the Spark Plugs close to the pulleys and see if there is a Broken Piston inside! Another thing you could do is take all the plugs out and take a Wrench and turn the main pulley and see if the sound is heard. This is without the belt being connected. I bought an Impala for my brother that was in a NO Crank no start state and one thing I wanted to check before buying it was that it wasn't seized. IT wasn't so I bought it, Repaired it and gave it to him. Anyway that is one way of being able to check for that.. However in your case it could check if your problem is Motor related this way... I hope that it isn't

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

Well here is a Grinding noise of a Bad Alt in a Impala.. Is this what you hear? It could be even that without your belt on the Alt it won't have noise so the test isn't 100%... Reason because without tension on the pulley it may not have the sound from it. When it gets worse then it would be easy to tell no matter on or off...

Or more like this sound?

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

At times even when bad the sound can go away. So that is what made me think that is the grinding you were talking about.... I did a search on youtube for Grinding from motor and Impala came up so Post that....

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

Yes or could have opened the Thermostat and let that water in the system... Fan kicked on and or there is a lot of different things. As long as you have heat, and your staying in the normal in temp range your car should be ok... If it sounds like that with the Alt grinding. I would get that taken care of soon. As it will or can stop working all together and break your belt or pop it off. IF it comes off while at high speed (Belt moving high speed) could also damage something in the motor.... RockAuto has them starting at 88 with no core to as high as 266 with a 40 core. NOT the Highest Core. Also if your not able to wait for Mail ALT to come in, I am sure there is one at a Auto parts store for around 100 or less with any luck...

James

 

[Revo2Maxx2016]

About your Fan. I wouldn't fault the Sensor so fast. Rare to have a issue in them... IT could be. However before tossing parts I would check your ground for the fans. I believe they are next to the headlight on the drivers side. IF they are not well connected, Broke, or corroded, Fix the fault and test again. Sorry have bad memory and looking at my car now days don't help because I have ground on both sides of mine. But I think as I said it is on the drivers side behind headlight at the top.

Let us know what the Auto Doctor finds out. Hope after that is repaired all rest is a good bill of health..

James