Whining sound-need help badly

[dirtslinger64]

I have an 06 Runner...I have a whining noise from engine compartment..does it in park and neutral. I'm pretty sure it's not tranny, power steering, or water pump related. i checked out other posts and replaced the tensioner pulley...didn't work...still had the noise. I pulled the other pulley's off and they seemed fine. they spin freely no unusual noises. I took off the lower pulley...it doesn't spin as freely as the others but doesn't make any sound like it may be bad. Had to order that pulley from my local parts store. it will be here in the morning. so this is where i'm at.
Can anyone offer any more advice? I really don't want to take it in to someone as it will likely cost me a small fortune to get it fixed.

thanks in advance for all the help and advice

 

[HiVel-JR]

V8 or V6?

My guess is Alternator...

Coolant leaked into it from your engine and bam..... sounds like a vacuum cleaner on steroids? And once you get moving around it stops making noises.

That is a pretty expensive repair if that is what it is.

 

[jow]

1. Does it make a difference in sound when you turn deep and hold as Belt tension is not good??
2. Have you tried any type of belt dressing?
3. Have you tried to listen to each pulley item with an auto stethoscope or tube/etc x bearing noise or item noise?
4. Have you started for a second with no belt?
5. Will this site accept a mpg file with sound?
6. I hope I’m not getting too Old School!!!

 

[dirtslinger64]

It's a V6.....I have not tried belt dressing I will replace the pulley I have off of it now then try the belt dressing.....if it is the alternator how can I tell if that is what's making the sound if all the electrical system is acting normal?

 

[HiVel-JR]

It's a V6.....I have not tried belt dressing I will replace the pulley I have off of it now then try the belt dressing.....if it is the alternator how can I tell if that is what's making the sound if all the electrical system is acting normal?

With the alternator, take your 4runner to to an auto parts store... (Auto Zone or whatever) ask them to check your alternator/battery. They can hook up to the battery and test the voltage returning to the battery or something like that.

My alternator went bad and made that vacuum noise a few times, then i never heard it again. 3 or 4 months electrical things started acting up. Lights going dim... etc. The final thing was my battery completely died and would not hold a charge, but that took months.

 

[gm350reratliff]

The whine sound on mine appears to be coming from the AC compressor. The noise also happens to FJs and Tacomas with the 4.0 and from what I have gathered from those forums is the culprit is the AC compressor. My 4runner has been making this sound for roughly 3 years with no other side effects. So until some component craps the bed, I'm not going to throw money at chasing that noise.

 

[dirtslinger64]

thanks all for your help and advice....i put on the new lower pulley that i had to order that came in this morning and turns out that was the problem....no more noise....it's weird though....tensioner pulley that i first replaced was $21.....bottom pulley was over $60

 

[HiVel-JR]

Wow, awesome find. Glad you got it.