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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Whining Noise (accessory belt?)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nicoleb3x3
  • Start date Start date Jun 9, 2004

Nicoleb3x3

Member
Jun 9, 2004
274
0
16
southern NH
Jun 9, 2004
#1
  • Jun 9, 2004
  • #1
I have this whining sound that bugs me. It seems to be the from the accessory belt?

Could something be off with my tensioner or something? Is it possible the belt tension is too tight and robbing me of HP and creating this whining? My power steering makes some noise, but not like it out of fluid, and I mainly get this other similar whining.

Does anyone else have this problem or know what it could be? My old 89 2.3 lx had the same noise, but I rarely ever heard it on that car.

thanx
Nicole
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jun 10, 2004
#2
  • Jun 10, 2004
  • #2
Well, does this whining sound like a belt slipping? Generally if there is a whining sound and it's not from the power steering pump (and I have yet to hear a Ford power steering pump that doesn't whine), it could be caused by the belt slipping, BUT when the belt slips it's pretty damn loud.

Also, it's impossible for your serpentine belt to be "too tight."

My '90 LX used to make this weird sound from the accessory belt at idle, turns out it was because of the pulley on the A/C compressor moving around. Course I ended up ditching the A/C on that car anyway.
 

Nicoleb3x3

Member
Jun 9, 2004
274
0
16
southern NH
Jun 11, 2004
#3
  • Jun 11, 2004
  • #3
Thanks for your reply, It doesn't seem like the belt is slipping; because I hear it all the time.

The whine is consistant to the RPM, so I hear it more the higher the RPM. It's louder then the motor at 1500-3000 rmp, so I cannot enjoy hearing my motor rev up (not i'm missing much with a 2.3, but you can see how it would bug the crap out of me).

It slightly resembles a power steering whine, for a breif second I thought it might be that when I first heard it.

also; my belt is not hooked up to the AC (that belt is missing!)
 

ninety2.3

Founding Member
May 4, 2002
186
0
16
PA
Jun 11, 2004
#4
  • Jun 11, 2004
  • #4
Maybe a pulley is making the sound. Like its loose or something?
 

Red_LX

I’m not much help unless you’re looking for ****!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,896
73
129
Morgantown, WV...where couches meet their doom
Jun 11, 2004
#5
  • Jun 11, 2004
  • #5
Louder than the engine? Damn, sounds to me like it's something you might wanna check out. How long has it been making this sound?
 

Dr_EluSivE

Founding Member
Apr 24, 2002
2,155
0
56
Central Illinois
Jun 11, 2004
#6
  • Jun 11, 2004
  • #6
these cars tend to make noise, the PS pump is normal, A whine from the rear end (fuel pump) is normal, but Squeaking pulley sounds are not, i would guess maybe an Alternator bearing or a water pump on the fritz, Does you car lose any coolant?

Dr.
 

kiddiccarus

The first widely accepted Tranny
20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 24, 2003
1,789
1,051
143
30 Mins from a Ragged GT
Jun 11, 2004
#7
  • Jun 11, 2004
  • #7
My Fuel Pump is louder than my car. When I changed my water pump I added a spacer to the pully (why because it came with the pump, I was stupid) but that caused the sound and screwed up 2 belts before I noticed what I did.
 

Nicoleb3x3

Member
Jun 9, 2004
274
0
16
southern NH
Jun 15, 2004
#8
  • Jun 15, 2004
  • #8
I had someone take a look at it. Seems like it maybe the alternator bearing.

Looks like I'll have to get a new alternator at my leisure.
 

kiddiccarus

The first widely accepted Tranny
20+ Year Stangneter
Dec 24, 2003
1,789
1,051
143
30 Mins from a Ragged GT
Jun 15, 2004
#9
  • Jun 15, 2004
  • #9
Look for the upgrade then and get one that you will not outgrow
 

Nicoleb3x3

Member
Jun 9, 2004
274
0
16
southern NH
Jun 18, 2004
#10
  • Jun 18, 2004
  • #10
Thanks, I definately am planning on it. That's why I'm not running out the Autozone for the stock replacement.

I've seen some higher performance alternators at jegs web site, but I've gotta go back and get the details.

if you have any suggestions or links to exact recommendations, please let me know.
 
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