Engine Whine

[ktom3001]

:snacker::snacker::snacker:

Didn't say I had any experience with MC. USAF basic was the same running distance as USARMY.
Nothing like winning the 200 yard freestyle event at the NY State Championships. Also anchored a relay that went faster than Mark Spitz Santa Clara relay - with him on it.

You didn't comment on the attachment letter from US Admiral Bringle posted above. You ever fly a jet (in combat)?

"Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED TWO embarked in USS AMERICA (CVA-66), engaged in combat operations against the enemy in Southeast Asia from 15 June to 29 October 1968. In the successful completion of fifty-one strikes and forty-five direct combat support missions against the enemy in an active combat area"

 

[Warwicke36]

Hoping someone can help me diagnose an engine whine.

The video below isn't mine, but my engine whine is identical. The whine becomes especially clear around 13 seconds into the video.

Fj Cruiser Throw out Bearing Whine - YouTube

The YouTube poster claims the whine is from a throwout bearing in his manual transmission. I don’t have a manual.

Has anyone had or solved a similar whine?

I’m thinking idler/tensioner pulley. Already replaced my alternator.

Whine can be many different things. Pull the belt off and spin the pulleys by hand.

The bearing in the alternator and AC compressor are pretty common across all makes of vehicles. The issue is underhood noises bounce off of everything and can be hard to track down. Since you already did the alternator (presumably recently, let's assume it's not that for now)...

Another VERY common source of whine is the Power Steering pump. If the reservoir is low it will be sucking in air and causing aeration of the fluid which will whine horribly. Dirty fluid (even if full) can cause it to whine as well. There are various methods to flush the system, and I really like Wynn's fluid and conditioner if you are able to get some where you are.

If nothing makes noise or feels "crunchy" with the belt off spinning them by hand go ahead and put it back on.

Take a long screwdriver or prybar, or a stethoscope if you have one... place the end on each component (not a part of it that moves!) and put the other end to your ear. See which one makes the same noise or appears the loudest.

You can try things like cycling the AC on and off to see if it affects the noise. IE the compressor clutch failing.

Report back and let us know what you find. Good luck!

 

[Berty_K]

Berty_K
Perhaps a silly question, but...
Can you hear the whine with the hood open and you standing in front of the vehicle?
Only reason I ask is that it could be alternator whine through the stereo due to grounding issues.

Yup. Can hear with the hood open. Seems to be coming from the left (Driver, US) side of the car. I can also hear it when I'm in the driver seat with the window rolled down.

On cold start, there is no whine. I'll only hear it once the car's warmed up. Under load, the pitch of the whine seems to go down slightly.

Whine can be many different things. Pull the belt off and spin the pulleys by hand.

The bearing in the alternator and AC compressor are pretty common across all makes of vehicles. The issue is underhood noises bounce off of everything and can be hard to track down. Since you already did the alternator (presumably recently, let's assume it's not that for now)...

Another VERY common source of whine is the Power Steering pump. If the reservoir is low it will be sucking in air and causing aeration of the fluid which will whine horribly. Dirty fluid (even if full) can cause it to whine as well. There are various methods to flush the system, and I really like Wynn's fluid and conditioner if you are able to get some where you are.

If nothing makes noise or feels "crunchy" with the belt off spinning them by hand go ahead and put it back on.

Take a long screwdriver or prybar, or a stethoscope if you have one... place the end on each component (not a part of it that moves!) and put the other end to your ear. See which one makes the same noise or appears the loudest.

You can try things like cycling the AC on and off to see if it affects the noise. IE the compressor clutch failing.

Report back and let us know what you find. Good luck!

Thanks for the helpful info. I've changed all the pulleys and put on a fresh belt (used a complete gates kit, so I'm confident parts are good for now). I also replaced the alternator a few thousand miles ago (could be faulty as a previous poster pointed out). PS exchange was actually the very first thing I did before venturing down this path. I did a full flush with Dex/Merc ATF and also cleaned the filter and reservoir.

I have a stethoscope. Noise seems loudest on the base of the v6 oil filter. Currently thinking I could have (1) received a faulty alternator, (2) bad water pump, or (3) oil pump issues. Haven't had much time to poke around, but I'll keep sharing updates as I make progress.

 

[Berty_K]

New theory.

I have a lead acid 3-year-old battery. After 3 Chicago winters, I think the battery is on its last legs. Resting voltage after sitting overnight is 12.2/12.3. I wonder if the whine is the alternator not being able to catch a break because its constantly trying to charge a bad battery.

I have a new 24F agm lined up for me tomorrow. Fingers crossed this fixes things.

 

[TheThreeFs]

Could it be a wheel bearing?

 

[Berty_K]

Could it be a wheel bearing?

Nope. I can hear the whine when the car is stationary.

 

[Berty_K]

Still living with the whine. New battery didn't make a difference. Noise continues to be the loudest at the base of the oil filter.

4Runner still solid however-- just finished a 3k mile road trip and the 4Runner didn't miss a beat.

 

[rhoyneriver]

Still living with the whine. New battery didn't make a difference. Noise continues to be the loudest at the base of the oil filter.

4Runner still solid however-- just finished a 3k mile road trip and the 4Runner didn't miss a beat.

My '08 V6 just got the whine back. I remember it showing up 2-3 years ago and then I don't even remember when it left.

At first I thought it was maybe something to do with the air intake, because the sound seemed to be linked to the revs of the engine. But then I realized that when I turn the radio off (not just volume down, but OFF), the whine completely goes away. It was interference picked up by the alternator or something.

I did just switch to an Alexa Auto for music instead of my usual AUX into phone setup, so I am betting that's the culprit for me anyway.