1995 Buick Park Avenue/Possible Tensioner pulley problem?
 

I have an occasional rattling noise coming from the front on my engine. I only hear it at idle. It's an on and off rattling noise. I showed one of my mechanics and he noticed a slight wobble to the tensioner pulley. He said this is most likely the problem. Can anybody confirm this? It's not that I doubt his word, it's just that there is so many pulleys in this area I would like to find the right one. Thank You for any advice!

When we say front of the engine, are we talking the side of the engine where you would pour the oil in or the belts on the passenger side? Tensioner can go bad did he show you it?

The rattling noise is coming from the front of the engine. Where all the pulleys are located. On a front wheel drive the front of the engine is located on the passenger side of the car.

Is it coming from water pump area and any coolant leaking? Any "Glitter" on the dipstick?

The sure way to confirm which , if any pulley/ bearing, is making the noise is; using the tensioner loosen the belt and remove it from the easiest pulley you can reach . Now you can spin the power steering, alt, idler , tensioner , A/C pulley or water pump. Feel for any roughness or hear any noise. Whichever one makes the noise is the defective one.

No and No To Merc6

Thank You "hanky" I'll give that a try. That's the most logical approach I've heard yet. It sure beats playing 20 questions.