loud grinding/rubbing noise from distributor area

[florida_dirt]

replaced my alternator belt yesterday and I think I had the belt too tight because there was a whining noise coming from around the distributor... I loosened the belt and the noise went away had no problems. until today drove the car to a job interview on the way back the car started making a grinding/loud rubbing noise from the same area... I thought it could be my ac belt too tight so I loosened that still went on... it gets louder when in gear and quieter when I push in the clutch but it's still extremely loud... I didn't even think it was coming from my car at first but the waste management truck next to me.... sorry for the long post.

[florida_dirt]

is it possible my belt is on backwards?

[SmokeE30]

A noise like that coming from near the distributor could be timing belt, I would check it out ASAP if its rubbing inside the cover it can break an fudge your valves up

[florida_dirt]

yeah nothing was rubbing in there I think my alternator belt was too loose/ the wrong size doesn't quite fill the groove on the water pump pulley I think it caused it to move a bit back and forth grinding on the crank pulley since they are only like 1/8" apart

[jlevie]

With the engine cold take the belt off and see if the noise is still apparent. You can run the engine for a minute with no damage from the lack of the water pump. If it is, I'd suspect the timing belt tensioner. If the noise is gone, I'd suspect bad alternator or water pump bearings.