Thread: 2001 SR20DE RR - Noisy head

This is a benign issue that's been going on for about 15k miles on my 2001 Sentra SE with the RR SR20DE at 125k miles. The engine is 100% stock. Basically, the engine sounds "zingy" for lack of a superlative adjective to describe it. Basically, when the engine gets some RPM it produces a "zzziizzzz... zzziizzzz" noise that parallels with the engine RPM. I can hear it pretty clearly with the windows down as the noise reverberates of objects I'm driving past. I seem to be getting good voltage, and the motor pulls in good vacuum with no leaks. Compression is 210psi on every cylinder and the motor pulls like an SR20 should, which leads me to think that it's a benign issue. I just want to know what's causing it. Could it be the timing chain, or the tensioner, alternator, ???? Anyone experienced this issue, especially on a RR engine? Some insight would be appreciated.

UPDATE 2-24-13:

Possibly ac compressor going bad?

power steering?

I'm not sure if it's the A/C or not, but the compressor works fine and blows decent for the mileage. No noises when I turn on the A/C. The noise is present with the A/C off as well.

Power steering makes would make a whiney noise. I'm not losing any fluid and it makes no noise when I turn the wheel.

Keeping it simple, verify where on the engine it's coming from. If it's belt/tension/pully related, use a stethoscope and see if it's a bearing issue. A simple mechanic's stethoscope is only 10 bucks tops. You could also remove each belt to see if it's related to any of the belt circuits. Also check the water pump for excessive noise. If a chain wears through the plastic on the guide it will make a whining type noise, but VQs are more prone for that. There was also a revision of the SR chain guide from plastic to a metal base on the non tension side. Same idea as the KA as the plastic shatters around the bolt holes and fall down into the oil pan; but in that case, the chain would rattle, not whine. If you find that it is just a pulley bearing and the pulley is not too rusted or rough, you could very likely match the bearing number and press out and in a new bearing rather than paying for the pulley with bearing. Saves you a few bucks anyways.

Bumping this thread back up since I've attached a video: