Help with whining noise from AU2XR6vct

Autocade · 15-07-2006, 07:00 AM

OK before anyone starts this particular noise is not coming from the wife or kids cos I know that sound extremely well

:

The noise is from the front of engine at idle which increases as revs climb
The main suspects imo are water pump or drive belt or ps pump or pulley wheel
NB- PS Pump and a couple of pulleys have been replaced in the last 12 months so these are the last suspects plus i am sure they made a different sound when they were failing
I have not heard this sound before but I have not ruled them out
Thanks in advance
Autocade

GK · 15-07-2006, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autocade

The main suspects imo are water pump or drive belt or ps pump or pulley wheel

I have no personal experience with this Autocade, apart from a slipping drive belt on a Laser (replaced it noise gone), but I've heard that the pulley wheel bearing can stuff up, making an annoying racket. My neighbour had his replaced on his EF not long ago.

What condition is the serpentine belt in?

All the best with it.

GK

Autocade · 15-07-2006, 12:40 PM

GK
Drive belt was replaced within approx 12 months and looks A1

private9 · 15-07-2006, 01:04 PM

As you've already said, I'd be looking at one of the pulley's or even the bearings as suggested by autocade. Depending on what sort of noise it is it could even be water pump bearings or something but that's a bit of a long shot.

Autocade · 15-07-2006, 01:23 PM

Private 9
I have heard failing pulley bearings making a rattling sound but
never heard this high pitched whine before so i am thinking must be something else
Do waterpump bearings whine when failing?

XR6-VCT-2000 · 15-07-2006, 01:54 PM

the timing chain ?

private9 · 15-07-2006, 03:33 PM

I don't think the bearings whine so much, it's more of a rattling sort of groan, bit like a VN commodore sounds

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Is it a high pitched really loud squeal that you're hearing?

Casper · 15-07-2006, 03:36 PM

Had a noise like that on my EB V8 many years ago. It was the tensioner pulley had siezed up. We discovered it after the serpentine belt exploded into a million pieces and destroyed the water pump and harmonic balancer in the process. Get it checked ASAP!

Autocade · 16-07-2006, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6-VCT-2000

the timing chain ?

Does this make a high pitched whine if failing?

Autocade · 16-07-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casper

Had a noise like that on my EB V8 many years ago. It was the tensioner pulley had siezed up. We discovered it after the serpentine belt exploded into a million pieces and destroyed the water pump and harmonic balancer in the process. Get it checked ASAP!

I probably should have mentioned that it was recently found to have a cracked timing chain cover which was replaced and while it was off they found a cracked timing chain guide which was also replaced
There was no noise prior to this or any indication of a problem other than a small oil leak
The engine was removed to do all this and since I have had it back this new noise has appeared.
I am thinking you are on the right track and that it is likely to be a failing pulley as you have suggested or pump bearing

Autocade · 16-07-2006, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

I don't think the bearings whine so much, it's more of a rattling sort of groan, bit like a VN commodore sounds

:

Is it a high pitched really loud squeal that you're hearing?

Yes i reckon a high pitched squeal sound about right

**Papa Smurf** · 16-07-2006, 09:02 AM

I would be changing the two pulleys for the Drive belt, they DO give a lot of trouble.

It also COULD be the seal at the front of the Pwr Strg Pump? when the seal gets worn out or dry it can make a high pitch whine. It is after all a GM Pwr Strg Pump

Autocade · 17-07-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

I would be changing the two pulleys for the Drive belt, they DO give a lot of trouble.

It also COULD be the seal at the front of the Pwr Strg Pump? when the seal gets worn out or dry it can make a high pitch whine. It is after all a GM Pwr Strg Pump

The items you suggest have already been replaced in the last 12 months which is why I am thinking it might be something else
I also remember them making different sounds when they were failing
More of a groaning rattle than a whine

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JC · 17-07-2006, 12:05 PM

Whining from a VCT? I thought that was reserved for the owners! LOL.

Muzzxr had a high pitched whine on his XR8 - turned out to be the water pump. I can only suggest listening as carefully as you can with bonnet open and try to pinpoint the general direction of the noise, and work from there.

Autocade · 17-07-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Whining from a VCT? I thought that was reserved for the owners! LOL.

Muzzxr had a high pitched whine on his XR8 - turned out to be the water pump. I can only suggest listening as carefully as you can with bonnet open and try to pinpoint the general direction of the noise, and work from there.

JC the whining owner issue is caused by the lousy fuel economy of the VCT

This is what I have been waiting for coz I reckon its the water pump too
I have tried to isolate the noise as you have suggested but very difficult

Thanks
Autocade

bodes-sh · 17-07-2006, 08:49 PM

the other thing you can try is to either get a proper automotive stethoscope or a long screw driver, then being very careful put your ear on the handle and touch the other end on certain parts to see if the sound gets louder, this should give you a rough idea of what it is...with the engine running of course...

mik · 17-07-2006, 09:07 PM

i`m pretty sure super cheap had the stetherscopes if your interested, not too much money, cant recall how much i got mine for.

james22 · 18-07-2006, 07:51 AM

Hi pitched whine i'm reasonably sure is your power steering pump.

Racecraft · 18-07-2006, 08:44 AM

engage the compressor and see if the pitch of the whine changes

Autocade · 18-07-2006, 10:04 AM

Racecraft
Engaged AC compressor & no difference to sound
I had another good listen and a reckon it might be from the PS pump
but not sure
Stethoscope sounds the go anybody know how much they cost?

**Papa Smurf** · 18-07-2006, 10:07 AM

Disconnect the Pwr Strg pump and see if it goes away?

Autocade · 25-07-2006, 04:04 PM

It was the Alternator
Thanks for your replies
Cheers Autocade

clontarf_x · 25-07-2006, 05:50 PM

Cut a 30-1m length of garden hose, ear to one end, other to the engine

Its how I find all my air leaks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autocade

Racecraft
Engaged AC compressor & no difference to sound
I had another good listen and a reckon it might be from the PS pump
but not sure
Stethoscope sounds the go anybody know how much they cost?

XEESP_351 · 25-07-2006, 07:52 PM

just about gauranteed its the idler pulley or tensioner pulley bearings...
u can press out old bearings without replaciing whole pulley..Bearings can be bought for under 20 bucks for the pair...

Autocade · 26-07-2006, 08:53 AM

It was definitely the Alternator
It has been replaced and the whining noise is gone
Cheers
Autocade