The other day I noticed a very high pitched, rather hard to hear noise after driving for about 15 minutes. I popped the hood and the only place I can isolate the noise is if I put my ear down towards the alternator area.

I tried taking recordings of the noise, but it isn't loud enough to be heard over the engine. It's very high pitched, sometimes rhythmic, and other times just constant. It does seem to get worse the longer I drive the car. It is not effected by the AC or heater being on. I'm not sure if it gets louder under acceleration. It's so hard to hear as it is, but I think yesterday I might have heard it get louder as I revved up to 4k.

I would just think it is the belt, but in the mornings when it's cold it does not make the sound. I did the tube test on the pulley and can't hear any difference there. I do have an issue with my SC bearing clip, it has little chips in it that cause a slight amount of oil to leak out, but it really doesn't seem like the noise is coming from there unless my ears are deceiving me.

Here is a shot of the SC bearing:



Here is where I can put my ear to hear the noise the best:



The only other problem I am having is my IC pump is going out (again)


I'm open to any suggestions... I've already ordered:

New SC bearing (anyone know if it comes with that clip I need?)
Needswings Pulley Saver Kit (Friend is giving me a ASP 178 pulley)
Needswings Waterpump Pulley
Bosch IC Pump

I'm *hoping* that one of those things fixes it, but anyone think it could be something I am overlooking?

Thanks!


Edit: Title Typo I can't change

-Sheldon