Identify this whine

2E151

New Member

Apr 20, 2011

29

0

1

Apr 25, 2011

#1

• Apr 25, 2011

• #1

Trying to track down this noise; I want to stay on top of the maintenance with this car from day one. It's a pretty constant whine; it's present when I start the car & before I even leave the driveway. Though it sounds like it changes pitch during the video, no user input (RPMs, steering, turning, AC On/Off, Shifting Gears, Radio On/Off) seems to make it decrease or increase.

It can be heard here all the way through, but probably best from 19 seconds until the end.

YouTube - P1010487

 

Maxpowers

Member

Sep 9, 2009

859

2

19

Pittsburgh, Pa

Apr 25, 2011

#2

• Apr 25, 2011

• #2

I'm on my phone, but that sounds like the alt. Take the belt off and run it. See if it makes the sounds. Don't run it long.

 

2E151

New Member

Apr 20, 2011

29

0

1

Apr 25, 2011

#3

• Apr 25, 2011

• #3

Maxpowers said:

I'm on my phone, but that sounds like the alt.

Click to expand...

If it is the Alternator, is it worth trying to replace the bearings or just dump the whole thing? (Not really having a problem charging, just sick of the noise)

 

Maxpowers

Member

Sep 9, 2009

859

2

19

Pittsburgh, Pa

Apr 25, 2011

#4

• Apr 25, 2011

• #4

Reading owns you. Take the belt off and run it. Make sure the noise isn't the cam chain or something inside the motor. Don't run it for long or it will overheat and not charge.

 

sneaky98gt

10 Year Member

Apr 23, 2008

2,387

144

114

NC State University

Apr 25, 2011

#5

• Apr 25, 2011

• #5

Maxpowers said:

Reading owns you. Take the belt off and run it. Make sure the noise isn't the cam chain or something inside the motor. Don't run it for long or it will overheat and not charge.

Click to expand...

He said if it is the alternator. He didn't rule it out or say he had tested it. He was just asking what he should do if it was the alternator.

 

2E151

New Member

Apr 20, 2011

29

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1

Apr 27, 2011

#6

• Apr 27, 2011

• #6

Checked the power steering fluid levels, it was slightly low (right below the MIN marker) so I added a bit of fluid. No luck, noise still there.

Haven't disconnect the Alt yet to check that.

Update: seems most noticeable at idle. Takes couple of seconds after engine is fired up for noise to appear. Almost seems most noticeable when engine is not under load (however it's still present under load.)

 

2E151

New Member

Apr 20, 2011

29

0

1

Jun 27, 2011

#7

• Jun 27, 2011

• #7

Yeah it was the altenator, just took two months to fail. Took it to my mechanic who said the whine was a vacuum leak, charged me 30 bucks to change a connection. Pretty much gave up on the sound until the car died leaving the neighborhood last night. Replace the alt and no whine!