Does anyone know why my 99 Maxima would make a whining noise when I accelerate pretty hard (3500rpm and up)?

Question

I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima SE and recently it has made these high pitched whistling/whining noises when I accelerate on the highway. It is coming from the engine because I had my mechanic check the exhaust for any kinds of gaps or breaks. I have heard that it could be a number of things (alternator, vacuum, etc). Just wondering if anyone has a better idea. The car does not make the noise when idling, only when it is being driven.

Answer 1

I understand your frustration but there are a couple of things you can do before you climb out on the hood at 65 MPH to listen for the source of the noise. This noise is pretty hard to duplicate under normal conditions, so you are going to need a shop where there is a chassis dynomometer to allow you to operate the car at the speed where the noise is occurring while parked. The other way is to jack the car up on jack stands so that the wheels are off the ground and then run it up to the speed of the noise. Have a friend be inside the car and you can be outside the car with a mechanic's stethoscope. Its all risky business when you operate the engine at these speeds while stationary and in close proximity, but the other way is to pay the price at the dealer.

Answer 2

Crikey, whoever suggested timing belt, ignore it! Timing belts do not whine, they both paintings silently or they in simple terms spoil, and if that occurs, you is in simple terms not likely everywhere, so loosen up. relies upon what the noise is like. Does it do it extra on chilly, damp mornings? if so, it ought to nicely be the auxilary belts, those at the instantaneous are not toothed like the timing belt and ought to slip. They commonly must be adjusted with the help of undoing the alternator bolts and shifting it ahead, then retightening. commonly a nil.5 hour job at worst. If that's a mechanical screech, then it ought to nicely be the snatch, does it nonetheless pull correct? positioned your handbrake on and attempt to shrink back. in the experience that your snatch is lifeless it's going to screech like mad and under no circumstances move everywhere quick. If that's a vacuum leak, it's going to commonly impression the performance, does it experience gradual? not idle correct? seem for a hollow or chop up rubber somwhere around the intake pipework, that ought to nicely be the perpetrator.

Answer 3

some maxima's have motorized motor mounts that adjust based driving situation if one is worn it will cause a buzz or whine when accerating but im willing to bet its the alternator or the idler pulley causing you noise

Answer 4

I WOULD ASSUME EITHER THE BELT IS BAD OR YOUR WATERPUMP COULD POSSIBLY BE GOING BAD. A WATER PUMP NORMALLY MAKES A WHINING SOUND.

Answer 5

Have you checked your transmission fluid?