Whine from engine

[DirtDigler]

Noise just started. Sounds like pulley bearings going out? Cant really pinpoint it though. Happens at idle and increases with rpm. Any tricks to figure it out? Power steering is topped off, not running hot, all seems to be good.

 

[OR VietVet]

This is where a mechanic's stethoscope comes in handy. Very inexpensive for one and lots of you tube to show you how to use it.

 

[Doubeleive]

Noise just started. Sounds like pulley bearings going out? Cant really pinpoint it though. Happens at idle and increases with rpm. Any tricks to figure it out? Power steering is topped off, not running hot, all seems to be good.

Take the serpentine belt off and spin the pulleys and see if you can narrow it down, if it is not from the main belt then try the ac belt, pretty typical for the ac tensioner to make noise

 

[DirtDigler]

Thanks. I have a stethoscope but really dont want to use it near any spinning parts! My guess was the AC too. Good idea on removing belt, I will try that.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I've had a couple of idler pulleys do that, typically whatever pully is failing gets hot as crap so sometimes just a touch test works.

 

[wsteele]

I have a buzz/whine rpm sensitive (goes up and down with RPM's). When I was diagnosing it, I finally determined when I shut the radio off, the whine goes away. I assume it is either noise being generated by my 12 y/o alternator, or a bad filter in the radio head. I will fix it one of these days.

You might just turn the radio off just in case.

 

[FrankU]

You can use a long screwdriver in place of your stethoscope.

 

[OR VietVet]

Thanks. I have a stethoscope but really dont want to use it near any spinning parts! My guess was the AC too. Good idea on removing belt, I will try that.

The stethoscope should have a long straight metal probe that you can carefully put the tip at the back area of where the pulley is spinning and not touch the pulley and that is right where the bearing is, inside the housing it is in. Being careful is key but in literally thousands of times, I have never had a problem getting there.

 

[Fless]

Tell her that....

 

[OR VietVet]

You heard her say, "Without thinking". If not qualified or smart enough, any person, male or female, should stay out of an engine bay with the engine running. Couple times in my post I use the word careful. So yea, I would tell her that for sure! I feel bad for her.

Hell, there are people out there that think oil changes are easy, right up to the point where the car falls on them.

So many people on this forum want to do it themselves to save money but if unsure they need to ask here or be shown by a qualified trained friend. Stay safe.

 

[DirtDigler]

Yikes! That poor lady. Good looking out guys. I was smart to be careful. I did try the stethoscope but I couldn't tell if any pulleys were out of the norm. Sound seems to have died down a little. I did notice what looks like a leak behind the PS pump, but it's full. When I have time I'll pull the serpentine belt.
Btw, it's an 01 Yukon 5.3 4wd.

 

[Blk 09 LTZ]

I had the same sound issue. Turned out to be the ps pump. My mechanic has the same 09 Tahoe as mine and has had the same whine for years....says it’s common and doesn’t effect the steering at all. My opinion is it’s not a problem until it becomes a problem, and you don’t want that when you’re 1000 miles away somewhere in the mountains etc. Its a 2 1/2 hour job to replace the pump, but I’ll be having it done this spring sometime!

 

[SUMTOY2]

Yikes! That poor lady. Good looking out guys. I was smart to be careful. I did try the stethoscope but I couldn't tell if any pulleys were out of the norm. Sound seems to have died down a little. I did notice what looks like a leak behind the PS pump, but it's full. When I have time I'll pull the serpentine belt.
Btw, it's an 01 Yukon 5.3 4wd.

Stupid question but you say PS is topped off. To the full line or canister

 

[DirtDigler]

Stupid question but you say PS is topped off. To the full line or canister

Full line

 

[George B]

You heard her say, "Without thinking". If not qualified or smart enough, any person, male or female, should stay out of an engine bay with the engine running. Couple times in my post I use the word careful. So yea, I would tell her that for sure! I feel bad for her.

Hell, there are people out there that think oil changes are easy, right up to the point where the car falls on them.

So many people on this forum want to do it themselves to save money but if unsure they need to ask here or be shown by a qualified trained friend. Stay safe.

Even the best of us have those moments. Safety is a habit that needs nurturing. Most important is the hadit of assessing the risks for each task.