I have a 94 Ford Thunderbird with a 4.6L OHC V8 (modular) ... There's a whining noise that comes from the engine. Its not the power steering because the whining doesnt worsen from moving the steering wheel while idling. The whining is at its loudest at around 1400 rpm. Can anyone help diagnose what this noise is coming from??
2006-09-05 05:46:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
sounds like your tensioner pulley.
that's the one that's spring loaded to keep the belt tight.
One way to test is to spray some wd40 on the bearings behind the pulleys, one at a time.
DON'T GET ANY ON THE BELTS! AND DON'T SPRAY WHEN THE CAR IS ON!
when the noise goes away, you've found the culprit.
2006-09-05 05:53:38 · answer #1 · answered by korikill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two most likely culprits for whining noises are 1) power steering pump, and 2) alternator. You seem to have ruled out the PS pump, so I'd look at the alternator next. That's not to say it couldn't be something else, but try these things to pinpoint the problem:
1) With the engine running, have a friend turn on several electric items, such as the blower fan, headlights, interior lights, rear defrost, operate electric windows if you have them, etc. This will increase the load on the alternator and cause the noise to get louder if that is where it's coming from. If the whining noise doesn't change with the added load, then you can pretty much rule out the alternator as well.
2) You could also use a long screwdriver like a stethoscope to "listen" for the whining sound in any accessible accessories (sounds like a tongue twister). If you've never done it, it's easy and can be very valuable in finding a problem part. All you do is touch the end of the screwdriver to the end of a suspected problem part/area (say, the alternator) with the motor idling, and carefully lean down and put the handle of the screwdriver up tightly to you ear. If worn bearings or other components are creating noise, it will transfer quite intensely through the shaft of the screwdriver and you can hear it! Do this on the housing of other rotating accessories (A/C compressor, PS pump, water pump, etc - only if safely accessible) and see if the noise gets louder and louder...until you hopefully come to the problem part. Of course, if the problem is in the transmission, this method won't work.
3) Check your transmission fluid. If it's an automatic and the fluid is too low, it can create a whining noise in the torque converter, and depending on how long it's been driven with low fluid, raising the fluid level may not fully restore proper performance.
Hope this helps. Good luck man!
2006-09-05 13:33:43 · answer #2 · answered by Proud Daddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the Idler pulley or tentioner pulley test by replacement cost is minimal.
2006-09-05 12:52:21 · answer #3 · answered by GoodAnswer30 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please check to be sure it isn't the trans making this noice. It may be in the alternator. Best way to test is to eliminate the belt or belts and run engine and see if its gone. Could be any one of the hang on units. Good luck!
2006-09-05 12:56:07 · answer #4 · answered by megofish2day 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the water pump or the bearings in one of the pulleys
2006-09-05 12:49:46 · answer #5 · answered by doogie494 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
remove serp belt.check all pulleys power steering,alt,water pump,idler,tensioner.even start veh.without the belt.
2006-09-09 05:25:29 · answer #6 · answered by lani boy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give it some cheese (to go with your wine) and move on with your life.
2006-09-05 13:18:16 · answer #7 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess is there is a leak in your vacuum.
2006-09-05 12:50:21 · answer #8 · answered by murkglider 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋