Consistent noise from engine, except when idling

[Manlaw213]

I've searched a bit on the forums and the only thing I can find is that since it's not belt squeal, nothing else is mentioned.

I get a consistent noise when from the front when i'm driving. Load or RPM doesn't effect the noise at all. but when i'm coming to a stop or idling (any time under basically 900rpm) the noise goes away. Idler pulley? Belt Tensioner? Easy idea's for me to check on my own? Yes as I'm typing this i'm realizing I should just go out there and do the normal belt/pulley checks, but it's the consistent noise that doesn't change with RPM that's throwing me off of all of that.

02 GT 5speed

 

[89ripper]

Can you describe the noise...

 

[Manlaw213]

Can you describe the noise...

Sorry, forgot that part!

It's like a mechanical whine/induction sound. Literal, whirrrrrrr. But once again, it doesn't change sound wise with load/rpm. It's consistent

 

[89ripper]

Hmmm...sounds to me like a leak...vacuum leak? Does the car run strong? I would check by the throttle body and air intake to start with. The iac maybe? Im only guessing since you say it doesny increase with load....
I would think you would hear noise even at idle if it were a pulley, and also hear it increase with RPM

 

[Manlaw213]

Hmmm...sounds to me like a leak...vacuum leak? Does the car run strong? I would check by the throttle body and air intake to start with. The iac maybe? Im only guessing since you say it doesny increase with load....
I would think you would hear noise even at idle if it were a pulley, and also hear it increase with RPM

nope to the AIC and air leaks.
Pulled the belt off and took off the idler pullies. smooth one is making the loud noise and grooved one is clearly starting to make noises. tensioner looks to be doing its job so i'll just do the belt and idler pullies. Any one have an opinion on either a gates belt vs ACdelco or continental? also pullies, motorcraft or acdelco/continental? It's only a couple of bucks difference on rockauto but im continuing my cheap car challenge lol

 

[Manlaw213]

Continental belt, tensioner and both idler pullies done. Took 12 minutes to do it all, torqued down. Now its nice and quiet (from the front that is).

 

[Mustang5L5]

Take a long screwdriver and touch the bolt on the idler pullies. If one is going out, you should feel the vibration.

Mine was my tensioner pulley. Very similar to your noise

 

[Manlaw213]

i have the old school stethoscope, i was hearing it from all three pullies so it was almost making me think it was a different sound coming through each pulley. Fixed my exhaust rattle (hit it leaving my garage and never took the time to adjust it back correctly) and now im hearing a slight chirp from my TOB. i love the fact this car is so easy to work on but at the same time, one problem solved shows another. New TOB about 2k miles ago, went Ford on it. probably just need to adjust the clutch cable but that'll be the next time I jack the car up and care enough lol