Name That Sound

[RH77]

Here's a fun and not necessarily urgent puzzle...

Teggy's pushing 150K miles with over 11 years of operation so it's understandable that things tend to wear...

When the weather first turned cold this Fall, there was a continuous whine/growl after startup until normal operating temps -- then it went away. It seemed to be coming from the driver's side of the engine compartment.

So, necessity mandated re-installation of power steering after an injury (it's no big deal, but I need PS for a while).

Now, despite the temps -- 35F to 65F ambient, there's a whine between 2200 and 2700 RPM. It's transmission independent (happens in Neutral and while stopped and/or in Park).

The sound can be best described as a distant jet engine at low speeds, similar to when a plane is taxiing (low turbine speed, but still that whine).

It sounds like a classic worn transmission sound. Any RPM outside of the range -- there's no sound. It's louder when the engine compartment is cold.

First Guess: Water Pump. Last replaced with the timing belt, accessory belts, and idler pulley at 80K miles. It's getting close to scheduled replacement, but not quite a concern.

Any other guess is with the pulleys, belts, and pumps.

It could be nothing, but it's interesting to diagnose. I suppose EcoModders get to know their cars a bit too well

RH77

[Christ]

High in the engine compartment, could be cam bearings, water pump, idler pulley.

Low in the engine compartment, could be oil pump, front main (not likely), idler pulley.

Those are the worst culprits... could also just be a misaligned accessory belt. Try some belt dressing or silicone lubricant on the accessory belt and report back?

[RH77]

The belt dressing spray sounds like a good first start -- we'll see what happens!

RH77

[Frank Lee]

Silicone lube on a belt?

[Christ]

Yeah, I used to spray WD40 or plain old silly-lube on badly worn belts to see if they were the noise, or if it was something else. If the noise stops, it's the belt.

I don't replace them till they give, though.

Any more, I don't bother. I just wait till something gives out, fix it, and move on.

[RH77]

With the cold weather, the sound was much more amplified during an overnight, outdoor start.

The PS belt was tensioned too tightly -- since the sound was present when back at home, it could be pinpointed. In a quick 5-minute adjustment, the PS belt was loosened.

At first, it seemed to be coming from the pump pulley, and not anything lower. initially, it sounded like it was coming from high and behind the timing belt cover -- which was concerning, until I loosened the belt.

3 separate starts (colder than when arrived), full electrical load + A/C, and wheel turns lock-to-lock resulted in no more of that metal-to-metal whine/screech.

Crisis Averted.

RH77

[Christ]

Yay for simple fixes!!!