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  #1  
Old 05-15-2008, 01:30 PM
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SVeXy96 SVeXy96 is offline
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Mystery Noise!

So starting about two weeks ago my car started making a strange sound...its the engine and its not knocking , but it has this weird whining sound to it. It is still performing top shape and everything seems good to go except that weird noise. My oil is full its idle is normal I just don't get it, but the sound is getting louder...Any ideas?
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Old 05-15-2008, 01:42 PM
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Might check...

Quote:
Originally Posted by SVeXy96 View Post
So starting about two weeks ago my car started making a strange sound...its the engine and its not knocking , but it has this weird whining sound to it. It is still performing top shape and everything seems good to go except that weird noise. My oil is full its idle is normal I just don't get it, but the sound is getting louder...Any ideas?
Power steering pump or timing belt roller-sprocket bearings? Also adjusting pulley for the drive belts if it is a constant sound?

Is it constant or periodic??

probably not the Power steering pump but could make a weird whining periodic sound.
Good luck,
Keith
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  #3  
Old 05-15-2008, 01:42 PM
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I recently had a smililar problem with a "whinny sound" coming from my engine, but the car ran perfectly and I couldn't find the origin of the sound. Then a month or so later I found out the hard way.
The sound became a screech...within seconds the smell of burning rubber, then my dash lights all came on.
I pulled over opened the hood to see a belt melted and broken. The noise I'd been hearing was caused by the bearings on the idler arm pulley slowly failing until it seized. Not a big deal depending on where you are when it happens.
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  #4  
Old 05-15-2008, 04:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laserx View Post
I recently had a smililar problem with a "whinny sound" coming from my engine, but the car ran perfectly and I couldn't find the origin of the sound. Then a month or so later I found out the hard way.
The sound became a screech...within seconds the smell of burning rubber, then my dash lights all came on.
I pulled over opened the hood to see a belt melted and broken. The noise I'd been hearing was caused by the bearings on the idler arm pulley slowly failing until it seized. Not a big deal depending on where you are when it happens.
Get a tool that is like a stethoscope that doctors use but metal rod end and poke around I had the same thing happen with my Idle Pully bearings going out.
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Old 05-15-2008, 04:20 PM
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Two other things to diagnose;
- Is the Power Steering fluid "frothy" if so you need to replace the PS tank O-ring, there is a right up in the How-To documents at the top of the page.
- Next is to take both of the front belts off. Start the engine, if the sound is not there we are close to identifying the problem.

With the belts still off, spin all of the pulley's and idlers, are any of them hard to turn or make a slight noise? That's probably the one.
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  #6  
Old 05-15-2008, 06:05 PM
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Thanks guys I guess I'll go poke around.
...And Keith, yes the sound is constant and when I step on the gas the sound changes pitch depending on how fast or slow I drive...which makes me also think its the belts or a pulley...don't know much about bearings, but I'll figure it out.
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Old 05-15-2008, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SVeXy96 View Post
... when I step on the gas the sound changes pitch depending on how fast or slow I drive...
With how fast you drive or with how fast the engine spins??

Does it make the noise when the engine is spinning but the car isn't moving?
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  #8  
Old 05-15-2008, 08:19 PM
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I loose more...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo View Post
Get a tool that is like a stethoscope that doctors use but metal rod end and poke around I had the same thing happen with my Idle Pully bearings going out.
stethoscope that way
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  #9  
Old 05-18-2008, 11:50 AM
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Cool thanks everyone. I took the idler pulleys off started the car and POOF the scary sound was gone. My new bearings will be here Monday and she'll be all taken care of until then I just gotta be easy on her.
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  #10  
Old 05-18-2008, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kwren View Post
stethoscope that way
I don't know the tools names :P
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  #11  
Old 05-18-2008, 12:17 PM
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Just kidding!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wikedjuggalo View Post
I don't know the tools names :P
I am a big tease...

That is all I would know to call it but I couldn't spell it!
Had to do a copy paste on yours...

Take care,
Keith
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